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Mental Health of Parents of Special Needs Children in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Sui-Qing Chen

    (School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Shu-Dan Chen

    (School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Xing-Kai Li

    (School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Jie Ren

    (School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

Abstract

We assessed the mental health of parents (N = 1450, M age = 40.76) of special needs children during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an online survey comprising items on demographic data; two self-designed questionnaires (children’s behavioral problems/psychological demand of parents during COVID-19); and four standardized questionnaires, including the General Health Questionnaire, Perceived Social Support, Parenting Stress Index, and Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five Factor Inventory. The results showed that there were significant differences among parents of children with different challenges. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder were more likely to have mental health problems compared to parents whose children had an intellectual disability or a visual or hearing impairment. Behavioral problems of children and psychological demands of parents were common factors predicting the mental health of all parents. Parent–child dysfunctional interactions and parenting distress were associated with parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Family support, having a difficult child, and parenting distress were associated with having children with an intellectual disability. It is necessary to pay attention to the parents’ mental health, provide more social and family support, and reduce parenting pressures.

Suggested Citation

  • Sui-Qing Chen & Shu-Dan Chen & Xing-Kai Li & Jie Ren, 2020. "Mental Health of Parents of Special Needs Children in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9519-:d:464727
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cuiyan Wang & Riyu Pan & Xiaoyang Wan & Yilin Tan & Linkang Xu & Cyrus S. Ho & Roger C. Ho, 2020. "Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-25, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Silvia Faccioli & Francesco Lombardi & Pierantonio Bellini & Stefania Costi & Silvia Sassi & Maria Cristina Pesci, 2021. "How Did Italian Adolescents with Disability and Parents Deal with the COVID-19 Emergency?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Dayle Burnett & Anne Masi & Antonio Mendoza Diaz & Renata Rizzo & Ping-I Lin & Valsamma Eapen, 2021. "Distress Levels of Parents of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison between Italy and Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    4. Gianluca Sesso & Eleonora Bonaventura & Bianca Buchignani & Stefania Della Vecchia & Caterina Fedi & Marisa Gazzillo & Jessica Micomonaco & Andrea Salvati & Eugenia Conti & Giovanni Cioni & Filippo Mu, 2021. "Parental Distress in the Time of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study on Pediatric Patients with Neuropsychiatric Conditions during Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-15, July.

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