Severity of Depression among Families of Children with Special Needs

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18478640

Samanta Bishnoi and Renu Joshi (Department of Human Development and Family Studies, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana)

Parents of children with disabilities often face numerous challenges in managing daily life and coping with the complex demands of caregiving. These pressures can create strain in personal relationships, particularly within marital and emotional bonds. Consequently, mental health problems including depression, anxiety, and stress are prevalent among parents of children with disabilities. This study aims to examine the severity of depression among families of children with special needs in the states of Haryana and Uttarakhand, India. The sample consists of 70 families of children with special needs residing in diverse sociocultural regions. Data were collected from families of children with special needs in the states of Haryana and Uttarakhand, India. The study employed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess the severity of depression. Personal interviews were conducted with each participating family to evaluate the level and extent of depressive symptoms. The findings revealed that a substantial proportion of families of children with special needs exhibited symptoms indicative of moderate to severe depression. Notably, all participating families in both states reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms, with none falling within the normal range or experiencing only mild mood disturbance. These results reflect the substantial psychological burden experienced by families of children with special needs and highlight the need for focused mental health support, intervention strategies, and supportive government initiatives. The findings further indicate that there is no statistically significant difference in the severity of depression among families across different sociocultural regions. This suggests that the emotional distress experienced by these families is not strongly influenced by geographical location. Rather, the results underscore the profound psychological impact of caring for a child with special needs and emphasize the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions and support services for this vulnerable population.