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Comparative Study on Attitudes and Psychological Problems of Mothers

towards Their Children with Developmental Disability.

Article · March 2014

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Coumaravelou Saravanan
University of Sharjah
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East Asian Arch Psychiatry 2014;24:16-22 Original Article

Comparative Study on Attitudes and

Psychological Problems of Mothers towards
Their Children with Developmental Disability
發展障礙兒童的母親其態度和心理問題的對比研究
M Shobana, C Saravanan

Abstract
Objective: Parents’ positive attitudes and psychological wellbeing play an important role in the
development of the children with developmental disability. This study aimed to measure the prevalence
of psychological problems among mothers of children with autism disorder, intellectual disability, and
Down syndrome. The second aim was to assess the differences in mothers’ attitudes and psychological
problems among their children with intellectual disability, autism disorder, and Down syndrome. The
third aim was to identify whether negative attitude was a predictor of psychological problems in these
mothers.
Methods: In this study, 112 mothers of children having mild and moderate levels of autism disorder,
Down syndrome, and intellectual disability were assessed using the Parental Attitude Scale and General
Health Questionnaire–28.
Results: Overall, mothers of children with intellectual disability were found to have the most negative
attitude towards their child. Mothers of children with autism disorder exhibited higher scores on somatic
symptoms, anxiety, and social dysfunction when compared with their counterparts with Down syndrome
and intellectual disability. Negative attitude was a significant predictor of psychological problems.
Conclusion: Parental attitudes and psychological problems would vary among mothers of children with
different types of developmental disability.

Key words: Autistic disorder; Down syndrome; Intellectual disability; Mothers

摘要

目的：父母的正向態度和心理幸福感對有發育障礙兒童的發展發揮重要作用。本研究旨在檢視
自閉症兒童、智障兒童，以及唐氏綜合症兒童的母親其心理問題的現患率。本研究也比較這三
類病童母親其態度和心理問題的差異，以及確定消極態度是否母親導致心理問題的預測因子。
方法：使用父母態度評定量表和一般健康問卷28題版，對112名輕中度自閉症兒童、智障兒
童，以及唐氏綜合症兒童的母親進行評估。
結果：總體而言，智障兒童的母親對孩子採取較為嚴重的消極態度。相對唐氏綜合症和智障兒
童的母親，自閉症兒童的母親於軀體症狀、焦慮、社會功能障礙的得分較高。消極態度是心理
問題的顯著預測因子。
結論：父母態度和心理問題會根據孩子發育障礙的類別而有所不同。

關鍵詞：自閉症、唐氏綜合徵、智力障礙、母親

Ms Murugiah Shobana, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala

Lumpur, Malaysia.
Mr Coumaravelou Saravanan, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Address for correspondence: Mr Coumaravelou Saravanan, International
Medical University, No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: (60-3) 8656 7228; Fax: (60-3) 8656 7229;
Email: saravanan_c@imu.edu.my
Submitted: 23 September 2013; Accepted:12 November 2013
Introduction
Parenting a child with developmental disability (DD) is
an eternal process that affects parents and other family
members.1,2 Although there is no denying the significant
roles of both parents in raising a child with DD, mothers
are more responsible for the caring, rearing, and education
of children with DD than fathers, especially in Asian
countries.3,4 Mothers are also significantly more aware

16 © 2014 Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists

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