Parenting Stress and Coping Strategies in Families of Children with Mentally Retarded Children

Main Article Content

Jayanta Mandal
Dr. Santanu Biswas
Madhu Kumari

Abstract

This study aims to contribute valuable insights into the experiences of parents raising children with intellectual disabilities, offering a holistic understanding of the complexities surrounding parenting stress and coping strategies. This qualitative research study explores the intricate dynamics of parenting stress and the coping strategies employed by parents in families raising children with intellectual or developmental disabilities, historically referred to as "mentally retarded children." The study employs a phenomenological research design, delving into the lived experiences of parents who navigate the unique challenges posed by their children's disabilities. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring themes and patterns within the interview transcripts. Multiple data sources, including interviews and participant observations, were triangulated to enhance the credibility and validity of the findings. The results of this study illuminate the diverse sources of parenting stress experienced by these families, ranging from emotional and behavioral challenges exhibited by the children to financial strain, societal stigma, and concerns about the future. Furthermore, the coping strategies employed by parents were found to be equally diverse, encompassing seeking social support, accessing professional assistance, practicing self-care, advocacy, problem-solving, fostering resilience, and more. These coping mechanisms were shown to significantly influence the physical and mental well-being of parents, their family relationships, work-life balance, and social connectedness.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Article Details

How to Cite
Jayanta Mandal, Dr. Santanu Biswas, & Madhu Kumari. (2024). Parenting Stress and Coping Strategies in Families of Children with Mentally Retarded Children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES, ENGINEERING, SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT, 5(1), 56–70. https://doi.org/10.59364/ijhesm.v5i1.275
Section
Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)