Mental Health of Parents of Special Needs Children in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sui-Qing Chen, Shu-Dan Chen, Xing-Kai Li and Jie Ren
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Sui-Qing Chen: School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Shu-Dan Chen: School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Xing-Kai Li: School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Jie Ren: School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-14

Abstract: We assessed the mental health of parents (N = 1450, M age = 40.76) of special needs children during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an online survey comprising items on demographic data; two self-designed questionnaires (children’s behavioral problems/psychological demand of parents during COVID-19); and four standardized questionnaires, including the General Health Questionnaire, Perceived Social Support, Parenting Stress Index, and Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five Factor Inventory. The results showed that there were significant differences among parents of children with different challenges. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder were more likely to have mental health problems compared to parents whose children had an intellectual disability or a visual or hearing impairment. Behavioral problems of children and psychological demands of parents were common factors predicting the mental health of all parents. Parent–child dysfunctional interactions and parenting distress were associated with parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Family support, having a difficult child, and parenting distress were associated with having children with an intellectual disability. It is necessary to pay attention to the parents’ mental health, provide more social and family support, and reduce parenting pressures.

Keywords: mental health; COVID-19; parents of different types of special needs children; parenting stress; perceived social support (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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