Psychological characteristics and marital satisfaction in mothers of children with mental retardation and physical disabilities

Introduction: Mothers who have children with mental and physical disabilities experience mental and social challenges. Recent researches indicate that Psychological status and marital satisfaction in mothers of children with mental retardation and mothers of children with physical disabilities is different. The aim of this study was to compare marital satisfaction and psychological characteristics of the mothers of children with mental retardation and mothers of children with physical disabilities. Methods: This is a causal- effectual design study. The study population was all mothers of mentally retarded and physically disabled children that living in Bandar Abbas and their children have 5 to 12 years old. The sampling method was convenience sampling. 30 mothers of mentally retarded children and 30 mothers of children with physical disabilities were selected from two well-being and occupational therapy centers. Participants responded to psychological status (MMPI) inventory and marital satisfaction (MIS) inventory. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software at the 0.05 significant level. Correspondence: Farahnaz Mohammadi, PhD Student. Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences. Bandar Abbas, Iran Tel:+98 9173616150 Email: [email protected] Results: Mothers who have children with mental retardation, had significantly higher level of hypochondria, depression, hysteria, paranoia, schizophrenia, mania and lower maital satisfaction, than mothers of children with physical disabilities. Conclusion: It seems that in addition to the type and severity of disability, spousal support, social support, parent s attitudes to type of disability can be affected on psychological characteristics and marital satisfaction in mothers. Conclusions are useful for families of exceptional children researchers.