Abstract

AIM: Neurological disorders (NDs) occur commonly in children in our environment. Increasingly, the poor knowledge of these conditions among parents results in negative attitude with stress and disruption in interpersonal relationships. The objective of this study was to assess the level of stress and quality of marital relationships among mothers of children with NDs.
METHOD: Between January and December 2008, 126 mothers of children with NDs at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric clinic, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital were assessed for perceived stress, attitude and quality of marital relationships using PSQ and GRIMS Questionnaires. This was compared with mothers of normal children.
RESULTS: There were prevalent negative attitudes among respondents in both groups; only 15 (13.2%) mothers with NDs and 6 (5.3%) controls attributed causes to medical conditions; 10 (7.9%) against 26 (22.8%) wished the child had died. Stress was high in mothers aged below 30 and 50 years and above; with tertiary education and in those who were self–employed (p

Key words: Stres, Attitude, Marital relationship, Mothers, Children, Neurological Disorder

Article Language: Turkish English