Psychosocial Experiences of Parents With Mentally Retarded Children (The Case Of Six Families In Addis Ababa)
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Date
2004-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study explores the social and emotional experiences of parents with mentally
retarded children. Six mentally retarded children and their respective parents were
the main subjects of the study. Interview guide was used for data collection. The
data was presented in a descriptive form and analyzed qualitatively. Two parents
quarrelled with their neighbors and other two parents also quarrel with their
spouses because of their mentally retarded children. Siblings of the mentally
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retarded children complain for being disfavored by their parents. Mentally
retarded children deprive 3 of the parents of attending social activities outside
home, and the parents are penalized as a result. The news that their children are
mentally retarded makes parents experience such feelings as: shock, grief, anger,
fear, worry, hopelessness, helplessness and acceptance of the fact. Four of the six
parents accepted the reality immediately. The parents vary in their coping. Parents'
social and emotional experiences are partly interdependent. However, they are not
seen as functions of severity of the disability and sex of the children except that
mothers of 2 of the 3 female children are anxious that their children may be raped.
The children's improvement, counseling and supports that the parents get help the
parents in the coping. Therefore, the children should get education so that they
would improve. The society at large and ,family members also should be
enlightened as to what mental retardation is and have positive attitude towards
mentally retarded children and their parents and be supportive
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Keywords
Mentally; Retarded; Children