Effectiveness of Psychoeducation on Psychological Wellbeing and Self-Determination in Key Caregivers of Children with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Introduction: For the parents to have a child with intellectual disability becomes the most traumatic experience of life which makes them unenthusiastic to accept the fact. Studies have mostly tended to focus on parental adjustment to their child’s disability and its correlates. There is little research examining interventions that aim to improve parents’ and children’s relationship or quality of life. This study aimed to see the effectiveness of psychoeducation in increasing the level of psychological well-being and self-determination of the caregivers of children with intellectual disability (ID). Methodology: A total of 20 caregivers of children with intellectual disability were purposively selected from the Central Institute of Psychiatry and Deepshika Institute of Child Development and Mental Health, Ranchi. They were assessed with General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Ryff’s Psychological wellbeing scale, Family Interview for Stress and Coping in Mental Retardation (FISC-MR), Social Problem Solving Inventory (SPSI-R) and Self-determination scales before giving the psychoeducation. The psychoeducational module was developed especially for the caregivers based on the National Institute of Mental Health manual for Psychologists and Teachers, Counsellors manual for family intervention in mental retardation & Problem Solving therapy manual. This module was applied to them individually for the period of four weeks. The measures mentioned earlier were used again to assess the post treatment levels on the selected key caregivers. Results: Study identified a significant increase in the caregiver’s psychological well-being and self-determination levels after eight sessions of psychoeducational. Conclusions: Results suggested that psycho‐educational intervention is effective in increasing knowledge regarding the condition and in meeting the needs of the care givers. There are very few culturally sensitive parent intervention practices directed to the key caregivers of children with intellectual disability and these practices should be enhanced. Keywords: Intellectual disability, psychological wellbeing, self-determination, psychoeducation