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Quality of Life, Needs and Fears of Mothers of Children with Disabilities in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Lockdown

Author

Listed:
  • Nisreen Al Awaji

    (Department of Health Communication Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 84428, Saudi Arabia)

  • Monira Aldhahi

    (Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 84428, Saudi Arabia)

  • Shahnaz Akil

    (Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Physiology, Karolinska Institute, SE-14186 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Salwa Awad

    (Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 84428, Saudi Arabia)

  • Eman Mortada

    (Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 84428, Saudi Arabia
    Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt)

Abstract

Substantial changes in life dynamics resulting from the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could have an impact on the quality of life (QoL) of mothers of children with and without disabilities. This study compared the quality of life (QoL) of mothers of children with disabilities (MCD) to the QoL of mothers of children without disabilities (CON) in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 lockdown. It explored mothers’ concerns and the type of support they need during the quarantine. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted during the lockdown. An online questionnaire was distributed to mothers raising children with and without disabilities in Saudi Arabia. A total of 340 mothers participated in the study by completing the survey: 93 MCD and 247 CON. The QoL of MCD and CON was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Furthermore, detailed information was provided by the mothers regarding their needs and concerns during the lockdown. The results of the study revealed that the overall QoL was significantly higher in the CON group, compared to the MCD group, during the COVID-19 lockdown. The social well-being and environmental well-being reported by MCD were significantly lower on the total scale of the WHOQOL-BREF than those reported by the CON group. The comparison between the two groups revealed significant differences in the support required by mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a higher percentage of MCD needed emotional and psychological support, especially from family members. The major concerns reported by MCD were the deterioration of their children’s medical conditions and the lack of medical supplies during the lockdown.

Suggested Citation

  • Nisreen Al Awaji & Monira Aldhahi & Shahnaz Akil & Salwa Awad & Eman Mortada, 2021. "Quality of Life, Needs and Fears of Mothers of Children with Disabilities in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11442-:d:668903
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Saad M. Bindawas & Vishal Vennu, 2018. "The National and Regional Prevalence Rates of Disability, Type, of Disability and Severity in Saudi Arabia—Analysis of 2016 Demographic Survey Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-11, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dawid Szurgacz & Sergey Zhironkin & Jiří Pokorný & A. J. S. (Sam) Spearing & Stefan Vöth & Michal Cehlár & Izabela Kowalewska, 2021. "Development of an Active Training Method for Belt Conveyor," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Aqeela Zahra & Muhammad Shehzad Hassan & Jae-Hyun Park & Sehar-un-Nisa Hassan & Nuzhat Parveen, 2022. "Role of Environmental Quality of Life in Physical Activity Status of Individuals with and without Physical Disabilities in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Hong Li & Teresa Dodd-Butera & Margaret L. Beaman & Rebecca Burtea, 2023. "Immediate Caregiving Environment of Young Children with Autism: Findings from the U.S. National Survey of Children’s Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Alrubaian, Abdullah & Alkhateeb, Norah & Tamakloe, Deborah, 2024. "An exploratory study of Saudi parents' perceptions and beliefs about institutional and home care for children with disabilities," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).

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