Adaptation in Mothers of Educable Mentally Retarded Children

Abstract

Background Adaptation is an important process for humans. Children, who are physically or mentally disabled, impose special stresses on their families, parents and in particular on their mothers. Objectives This study examines the relationship between the characteristics of mothers who have educable mentally retarded children, and their adaptation based on Roy's adaptation model. Patients and Methods This descriptive study was performed on 40 mothers of educable mentally retarded children referred to the single exceptional school in Aran va Bidgol City, Iran, during 2010 - 11. An adaptation questionnaire based on Roy's adaptation model and demographic questionnaire were completed by the subjects. The results were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. Descriptive statistics and a Fisher's exact test were used. Results The overall adaptation of mothers was satisfactory. There was a significant relationship between the child's birth order (P = 0.04) and the time of awareness of the child's problem (P = 0.02), with adaptation levels in mothers who had a mentally retarded child. Conclusions The child's birth order and the time of awareness of the child's problem were related to the mother's adaptation level.