The Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Stigmatization Among Parents of Children With Intellectual Disabilities in Public Primary Special Schools in Nairobi

Abstract

Background: Parents of children with intellectual disabilities may develop depressive symptoms and are prone to stigmatization due to stressful challenges encountered when providing care for their children. Objectives: The research aimed at establishing the prevalence of depressive symptoms and stigmatization among parents of children with intellectual disabilities. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. A sample of 121 parents in four public primary special schools in Nairobi were recruited .Data was collected by use of Three (3) questionnaires. Researcher designed -Socio-demographic questionnaire was used to obtain socio demographic information. BDI-II was used to screen depressive symptoms while DISC-12 was used to determine stigmatization among parents of children with intellectual disabilities.

Results : Most of the parents were female(77.8%) married( 69.9%), had post-secondary level of education ( 61.1%) employed ( 78.5%) with an income over Ksh 10,000/-( 68.8%). 41.3 % of parents met the criterion for being at risk of depression, Stigma and discrimination was found to be significantly related to parent‟s depressive symptoms independently of other variables. Conclusion: Results suggest that parents of children with intellectual disabilities are likely to be at risk for depression and to be highly stigmatized. Interventions could be developed that have a focus on the health or well- being of parents. Reduction of society stigma could also help promote and shun stigma likely to yield psychological distress to parents.