Examination of factors predicting the perceived stress of parents with mentally retarded children

This study is designed to determine, according to some variables, the role of social support, marital adjustment and child-related division of labor in predicting stress of parents with mentally retarded children between the ages of 6-12. The sample of the research consisted of 200 parents (124 mothers, 76 fathers) having mentally retarded children aged between 6-12. Participants were administered three self-report questionnaires in order to assess perceived stress of parents (Perceived Stress Questionnaire), perceived social support of parents (Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Questionnaire), and marital adjustment (Marital Adjustment Questionnaire). In addition, personal and demographic information about children and parents were obtained by using a demographic form developed by the researcher. Results of the regression analyses revealed that marital adjustment was the only significant predictor among the independent variables. Neither social support nor child related labor of division were significant predictors of perceived stress of parents with mentally retarded child/children.