A Comparative Study of Parenting Stress among Mothers of Physically Challenged and Mentally Challenged Children

The present study was undertaken to assess the level of perceived parenting stress among the mothers of physically challenged and mentally challenged children from Bengaluru. The sample for the study consisted of 80 mothers of physically challenged children (40 girls & 40 boys) and 80 mothers of mentally challenged children (40 girls & 40 boys) from different early intervention centres and special schools across Bengaluru. Self-structured questionnaire was used to study the socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics of respondents and the levels of perceived stress was assessed using Family Interview for Stress and Coping Scale, (Part I) developed by Girimaji (1999) from NIMHANS. Statistical analysis such as mean, standard deviation and Z-test were used for the present study. Results reveal that there is significant difference in perceived parenting stress among mothers of physically challenged children and mentally challenged children. Mothers of physically challenged children reported higher level of stress as compared to mothers of mentally challenged children in the areas of extra input of care, decreased leisure time, neglect of others, disturbed behavior, personal distress, other interpersonal problems and effect on siblings and other family worries.