Factors Affecting Psychological Distress among Caregivers of Children with Special Needs

Abstract

Background: Primary caregivers or parents play critical role in managing broad group of children who require particular educational, social, and medical treatments due to physical, cognitive, and mental disabilities, which may contribute to impairment in family well-being and impairments in quality of life for both child and their family. It is common for caregivers of children with special needs to feel more psychological stress.

Aims: the aim of the study was to assess of psychological distress among caregivers of children with special needs and find out the relationship among psychological distress and socio-demographic characteristics.

Methods:The current study utilized a descriptive (cross-sectional) design was conducted on (111) study sample included all caregivers who attended seven institutes (Al-Amal Institute for deaf, Al-Noor Institute, Al-Raja Institute, Al-Rayahin Institute, Al-Mustakbal Institute, Al-Saada Institute for Autism, and Al-Amal Institute for Impaired hearing) from 12 November 2025 to   15 January 2026. A purposive non-probability sampling was used. Furthermore, a adopted two tools used: Kessler scale, a personal and clinical characteristics for child and personal characteristics for caregivers questionnaire sheet was added. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Kruskal-Wallis H test to determine the statistical differences and relationship.

Results: The results of the study revealed the majority of caregivers of children with special needs who participated in this study have moderate level of psychological distress  with mean of scores (25.64). There is a non significant relationship between Psychological Distress for caregivers and their socio-demographic trait such as age, sex, level of education, monthly income at (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The findings of this study conclude caregiving for child with special needs stress factor in itself, regardless of the social, economic background of caregivers. Recommendations: The study recommends providing families with educational programs to increase the caregivers' awareness about causes, signs and symptoms and how to relief stress by using Coping strategies.