Evaluation of stress of parents of children with disability and without disability-pilot study

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the level of stress of parents caring for children with a disability and parents of children without a disability. Methods. Pilot study was performed in the period from October to November 2020. A total number of 40 parents of children with a disability and 40 parents of children without a disability participated in this study. Parenting Stress Index 4 Short Form in Czech version (PSI 4 SF) has been used as a research tool. Results. It has been found out that parents of children with a disability have high stress levels in comparison with the group of parents of children without a disability. The difference in the stress perception between the monitored group and the control group is statistically significant (p<0.001) in all subscales as well as in the overall evaluation. Conclusion. Caring for a child with a disability is associated with high levels of stress. Healthcare professionals should identify parental stress and offer the parents professional help in caring for their child according to their needs.