Psychological Distress among Caregivers of Children with Down Syndrome at Al Najaf Province

Abstract

Psychological Distress has recently been shown to have a negative impact on caregivers, but there has beenlittle longitudinal research on this subject. A sample (61) caregivers of children with Down Syndrome havebeen selected Al-Najaf Province centers. The researcher adapts and modifies the questionnaire to fulfillthe study’s objectives .The results of the study revealed that caregivers of children with DS have severelevel of psychological distress(38.7%). There is a significant relationship (P < 0.05) between PsychologicalDistress and some of the socio-demographic characteristics (child age , family member and trainings aboutdown syndrome). The present study recommends providing families with Educational programs to increaseparents knowledge about etiology, signs and symptom and treatment of stress and Providing scientificbooklet, publication and journal about stress. In addition to increasing schools and institutes specialized ineducating children with Down syndrome, as they are few in the province of Najaf, and some of them are farfrom their places of residence