MY CHILD’S DISABILITY AND ME”: IMPACT OF CHILD DISABILITY ON MATERNAL QUALITY OF LIFE AND COPING STRATEGY

The birth of differently-abled child brings huge impact on the life of parents. This condition results in adverse impact on quality of life of parents. The study examined the components of quality of life and coping strategies of mothers of children with visual impairment, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, and intellectual disability. This was a cross-sectional, ex-post facto research study. The statistical population included the mothers of differently abled children. 200 mothers of differently-abled children participated in the study. WHOQOL-BREF and Coping strategies scale was used for data collection. Findings revealed that the quality of life has statistically significant difference among the mothers of visually impaired, hearing-impaired children and mothers of locomotor disabled and intellectually disabled children. The mothers of visually impaired and hearing-impaired children use approach coping more than the mothers of intellectually disabled and locomotor disabled children. The avoidance coping is used more by mothers of locomotor disabled children followed by mothers of intellectually disabled children. Efficient social skill training programs should be provided to enhance their social network and quality of life. The professionals should also assess the needs, potential problems of mothers and integrate effective strategies with the treatment of their children.