Psychological Distress and Coping Strategies among Parents with Deaf and Mute Children

Galal Abdelrahman, Rasha; Ibrahim El-Malky, Maaly; Mohamed Barakat, Mona

doi:10.21608/jnsbu.2022.215179

Psychological Distress and Coping Strategies among Parents with Deaf and Mute Children

Document Type : Scientific peer reviewed journal

Authors

¹ Nursing educator at Technical School of Nursing at Shebin El-Kom -Elmenofiya Governorate, Egypt

² Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing-Faculty of Nursing- Menoufia University, Egypt

³ Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing-Faculty of Nursing- Benha University, Egypt

10.21608/jnsbu.2022.215179

Abstract

Background: Deafness is one of the disabilities seen in all age group. Deafness in younger age group is an emerging health problem in Egypt. Deaf and mute child can negatively affect the emotional, mental, and physical health of the parents. Aim of study: The study aimed to assess psychological distress and coping strategies among parents with deaf and mute children. Design: A descriptive correlational research design was used. Setting: The study sample was conducted at El-Amal School for the deaf and dumb, Benha district at Qalubia governorate. Study subject: A convenience sample composed of 100 parents with deaf and mute children. Tools of data collection: The main three tools were used, I: An interviewing question is related to parents with deaf and mute child and their child. II: Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) to assess psychological distress and III: Brief Cope inventory to assess level of coping. Results: More than half of the studied parents have moderate level of depression and anxiety. Also, nearer to half of the studied parents have moderate level of stress and more than half of the studied parents have moderate level of coping strategies. There was statistically significant negative correlation between total stress symptoms and total coping. While, there was a highly statistically negative correlation between total coping of the studied parents and their total anxiety symptoms and total depressive symptoms and total stress symptoms. Conclusion: Parents with deaf and mute children are more prone to have psychological distress such as depression, anxiety and stress and have moderate coping strategies. Recommendations: Psycho-educational program for all parents of deaf and mute children enrolled in school focused on reducing parent psychological distress. Further studies for larger sample size should be done to generalize the results.

Keywords

Main Subjects