PERCEIVED STRESS AND ANXIETY AMONG PAKISTANI PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Abstract

Background: Parents of children with intellectual disabilities often experience elevated levels of psychological distress, including stress and anxiety, due to caregiving demands and societal stigma. While international studies highlight these challenges, limited research has addressed this issue within the Pakistani context, where cultural beliefs and inadequate support systems may intensify caregiver burden.

Objective: To examine the association between perceived stress and anxiety among parents of children with intellectual disabilities in Pakistan and explore gender-based differences in psychological outcomes.

Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study recruited 210 parents (119 mothers and 91 fathers) of children diagnosed with intellectual disabilities from special education institutions in Pakistan. Participants were selected using purposive sampling and met inclusion criteria: being the biological parent of a child under 18 years with a confirmed diagnosis and having at least an intermediate educational level. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Beck Anxiety Inventory-II (BAI-II) were administered to assess stress and anxiety levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, applying Pearson’s correlation and independent samples t-tests.

Results: The mean age of participants was 38.89 years (SD = 9.02). A strong, positive correlation was found between perceived stress and anxiety (r = 0.72, p < .01). Mothers reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress (M = 17.39, SD = 5.57) and anxiety (M = 31.32, SD = 13.14) than fathers (stress: M = 15.23, SD = 6.15; anxiety: M = 25.74, SD = 13.61), with moderate effect sizes.

Conclusion: The findings indicate a substantial psychological burden among parents, particularly mothers, of children with intellectual disabilities in Pakistan. This underscores the need for culturally tailored interventions, increased awareness, and accessible mental health support to address caregiver distress.