Abstract
Objective
To assess the social and financial burden of parents of children with locomotor disability.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Institute for Physically Handicapped (IPH), Delhi, where parents of 100 locomotor disabled children of age group 6 to 15 years were interviewed to estimate the socioeconomic burden of caregiving their children.
Results
The study observed that the parents of the disabled children were severely burdened in terms of financial burden and mental health.
Conclusions
There is an urgent need for support activities for such families at a national level in order to curb the huge economic and social burden of care-giving. Counselling should be an integral part of rehabilitation for such families.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Report No. 485, Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation NSSO (National Sample Survey Organisation), 58th Round 2002.
Varni J.W, Setoguchi Y, Rappaport L.R, Talbot D. Psychological adjustment and perceived social support in children with congenital/acquired limb deficiencies. J Behav Med 1992; 15: 31–44.
Singhi PD, Goyal L, Pershad D, Singhi S, Walia BNS. Psychosocial problems in the families of disabled children. British J Med Psychology 1998; 63:173–182.
Gathwala G, Gupta S. Family Burden in Mentally Handicapped Children. Indian J Comm Med 2004; 29:188–189.
Agarwal R, Raina R. Handbook on Disability Rehabilitation, Vibha Press Pvt Ltd, Delhi, 3nd Edtion, 2001; 2: 30–32.
Pai S, Kapur R.L. The burden on the Family of Psychiatric Patient: Development of an Interview Schedule. Brit J. Psychiat 1981; 138: 332–335.
Mohapatra C.S. Disability Management in India, Challenges and Commitments. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with Institute of Public Administration, Delhi, 2003; 3:40–69.
Monique A M, Gigniac. An Evaluation of a Psychotherapeutic Group Intervention for Persons Having Difficulty Coping with Musculoskeletal Disorders. Social Work In Health Care 2004; 32: 57–57.
Langergren J, Boyeson MC, Kohley I. Social Consequences of Motor Handicaps in Children. Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica 2000; 289: 334.
Dupont A. Socio-Psychiatric Aspects of Young Mentally Retarded and the Family. Brit J of Psychiat 1996; 148: 227–234.
Gath A. The Impact of an Abnormal Child upon the Parents. Brit. J. Psychiat 1997; 130: 405–410.
Wallander J.L, Varni JW. Effects of Pediatric Chronic Physical Disorders on Child and Family Adjustment. J Child Psychol Psychiat 1998; 39: 29–46.
Whitney PW, Anne WR, Coiro MJ. Childhood Functional Status, Family Stressors and Psychosocial Adjustment Among School-aged children with Disabilities in the United States. Arch Pediaetr Adolesc Med 2003; 157: 687–695.
Murphy NA, Christian B, Caplin DA, Young PC. The health of caregivers for children with disabilities: caregiver perspectives. Child Care Health Dev 2007; 33:180.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Laskar, A.R., Gupta, V.K., Kumar, D. et al. Psychosocial effect and economic burden on parents of children with locomotor disability. Indian J Pediatr 77, 529–533 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-010-0064-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-010-0064-7