COPING STRATEGIES OF PARENTS WITH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN IN ENUGU URBAN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The Purpose of this study was to examine the coping strategies utilized by parents who have physically or mentally challenged children in Enugu Urban. The study surveyed 154 consenting parents who have children enrolled in Therapeutic Day Care Center Enugu and Government School for the Deaf and Dumb Ogbete Coal Camp, Enugu using descriptive survey research design. Purposive sampling was used for this study to select 2 schools out of the 3 special schools in Enugu Urban, while convenience sampling was then used to reach the respondents. Parents coping strategy questionnaire (PCSQ) was used to identify the coping strategies of parents. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was also organized using Family Coping Strategy Interview Guide (FCSIG) in order to identify other strategies not captured through the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (Means and Standard Deviation) were computed for the demographic variables and the various coping subscales. Statistical analysis was done using MANOVA with alpha set at 0.05. The results showed that parents with physically and mentally challenged children used a combination of coping strategies. The data analysis revealed that the most frequently used coping strategies were; Spiritual Coping strategy (M = 4.67), Personal/Family resources coping strategy (M = 3.85) and External Social Support (M = 3.49). The least coping strategy used by parents was Denial coping strategy (M = 2.98). Parent’s of physically challenged children significantly used external social support more (F(1,152) = 10.59, p < .01) than parents of mentally challenged children. Significant interaction effect was found between age and education in the use of denial coping strategies (F( 1, 142 = 4.96, p < 0.5). These results suggest that parents used a wide range of coping strategies which appeared more helpful to them than any one single strategy. Also, the fact that parents of physically challenged children appear to significantly use external social support more than parents of mentally challenged children suggest that parents of the physically challenged are more connected to others and more ready to disclose their problem to people. It is therefore recommended that professionals in this special area should organize and establish association of parents of children who are physically or mentally challenged. This will create an avenue for interaction with one another, exchange of ideas, and expression of feeling which will lead to better coping.
CHAPTER ONE |
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Introduction |
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Background to the study |
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Statement of problem - |
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Purpose of the study |
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Specific objectives of the study |
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Research questions |
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Significance of the study |
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Scope of the study |
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Operational definition of terms |
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CHAPTER TWO |
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Literature review |
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Conceptual review |
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Stress - |
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Family stress - |
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Coping strategies |
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Coping resources |
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Ineffective/ maladaptive coping |
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Coping and socio demographic variables |
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Physically challenged - |
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Mentally challenged |
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Theoretical framework |
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Empirical studies on coping strategies |
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Summary of literature review - |
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