Does Having a Normal Child Benefit Mothers Psychologically Over those Mothers with Only Special Child?

By : Viprada Gadre, Vaishali Mardhekar

Page No: 393-399

Abstract
The study aimed to see whether having one normal child and one child with special needs is psychologically beneficial for those mothers compared to those with only special child. Burden of care, mental health and perceived social support were chosen as dependent variables. 41 mothers of child with special need and 49 mothers having one special need child and one normal child participated in the study. The participants responded to personal data sheet, Burden Assessment Scale [BAS], Multi-dimensional scale of Perceived Social Support and Leddy’s Healthiness Scale. Since the data could not satisfy the normality assumption Mann Whitney U Test was used to analyze the data. The Mann Whitney results showed that there was significant difference between the study groups on burden of care, mental health and perceived social support. The findings of the study indicate that having a normal child benefits mothers psychologically over those mothers with only special child. The results are discussed on basis of research findings and interviews of the respondents.

Authors :
Viprada Gadre : Visiting faculty, Psychology, Manisha 21/17, Premnagar Society, Pune-Satara Road, Pune 411037.
Vaishali Mardhekar :  Visiting faculty, Psychology, 880, Bhandarkar Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune- 411004