SOCIAL SUPPORT PERCEIVED BY PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY IN TAMILNADU

Abstract

Aims: The study analyzed the social support available of the parents of children with intellectual disability. This study used a descriptive approach with a cross-sectional approach. This study aimed to identify and explore social support in parents with intellectual disabilities children in Cuddulore district, Tamilnadu. Methods: The samples studied were 81 parents as a primary caregiver and lived with intellectual disabilities children, taken by purposive sampling. Social support was measured using a Social Support Questionnaire that had been modified and developed using Sarafino theory with alpha Cronbach values of 0.728. The questionnaire includes the domain of emotional support, instrumental support, informational support, and award/assessment support. Results: The data indicated that parents mostly have social support in high categories (70.4%). Among them; that majority (93.8%) of the respondents received support from a spouse (husband/ wife); 71.6 per cent of respondents received support from parents (grandparents of intellectual disabilities children). Then 67.9 per cent of parents perceived support from friends (fellow parents of children with intellectual disability). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the present study exhibited that the parents of children perceived social support from spouses, family, friends, peer groups and other health workers. Parents need more support for access to health information, praise or appreciation from those around them and professionals. Suggestion: So, the study suggested that the general public also should need to support to the parents of children with disability.