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Heydarian M, Salimi N, Ali Baghe A. Comparison of COVID-19-related Stress and Anxiety and Coping Styles between Mothers of Normal and Special Needs Children in Iraq. Qom Univ Med Sci J 2025; 19
URL: http://journal.muq.ac.ir/article-1-3871-en.html
URL: http://journal.muq.ac.ir/article-1-3871-en.html
1- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran.
2- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran. ,nooshin.salimi@yahoo.com
2- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran. ,
Abstract: (650 Views)
Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic caused parents, especially mothers, to take on multiple roles which increased their anxiety and stress. This research aims to compare the stress and anxiety caused by COVID-19 and the coping styles of mothers of normal and special needs children in Iraq.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2021 on 120 mothers (60 mothers of normal children and 60 mothers of children with special needs). The data were collected using the Corona disease anxiety scale, Cohen’s perceived stress scale (PSS) and Endler and Parker’s multidimensional coping inventory (MCI). The collected data was analyzed descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and analysis of variance.
Results: The mean scores of stress (P=0.002) and anxiety (P<0.001) were higher in mothers of children with special needs than in mothers of normal children. There was no significant difference between them in the scores of task-oriented (P=0.064) and emotion-oriented (P=0.051) coping styles, but a significant difference was observed between them in avoidance-oriented coping (P=0.030).
Conclusion: Due to the higher level of stress and anxiety caused by COVID-19 in mothers of children with special needs compared to the mothers of normal children in Iraq, timely parental support is necessary to strengthen their parent-child relationships and reduce their psychological problems. Future research should focus on effective coping strategies for the mothers of children with special needs.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2021 on 120 mothers (60 mothers of normal children and 60 mothers of children with special needs). The data were collected using the Corona disease anxiety scale, Cohen’s perceived stress scale (PSS) and Endler and Parker’s multidimensional coping inventory (MCI). The collected data was analyzed descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and analysis of variance.
Results: The mean scores of stress (P=0.002) and anxiety (P<0.001) were higher in mothers of children with special needs than in mothers of normal children. There was no significant difference between them in the scores of task-oriented (P=0.064) and emotion-oriented (P=0.051) coping styles, but a significant difference was observed between them in avoidance-oriented coping (P=0.030).
Conclusion: Due to the higher level of stress and anxiety caused by COVID-19 in mothers of children with special needs compared to the mothers of normal children in Iraq, timely parental support is necessary to strengthen their parent-child relationships and reduce their psychological problems. Future research should focus on effective coping strategies for the mothers of children with special needs.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
روانشناسی
Received: 2023/11/24 | Accepted: 2024/02/19 | Published: 2025/03/30
Received: 2023/11/24 | Accepted: 2024/02/19 | Published: 2025/03/30
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