PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT ON PARENTS OF MENTALLY-RETARDED CHILDREN IN EASTERN SAUDI-ARABIA

Background: The impact of mental retardation (MR) is felt by the affec ted individual and his parents. There are conflicting reports in the l iterature, but no studies from Saudi Arabia. Objectives: To evaluate t he physical, mental, social, marital and financial impact of boys' men tal retardation on their parents. Methodology: This was a case-control led study. The study group consisted of 72 boys with mild mental retar dation, registered in the Institute of Mentally Retarded Children in D ammam, and their parents (MR Group) and a control group of 72 matched normal boys and their parents. They were interviewed by purpose-traine d personnel using an objective-oriented questionnaire. Results: Betwee n groups, mothers of the MR boys suffered higher levels of physical, m ental and social stress, but marital impact was similar. About 80% of the parents in the MR group considered the financial aid received from the Institute inadequate. Within groups, the physical and financial i mpact was greater on mothers in the lower socioeconomic class. Conclus ion: There was a need for better provision and integration of resource s and services directed towards MR children and their families in East ern Saudi Arabia.