Adaptation in Mothers of Educable Mentally Retarded Children

Background: Adaptation is an important process for humans. Children, who are physically or mentally disabled, impose special stresses on their families, parents and in particular on their mothers. Objectives: This study examines the relationship between the haracteristics of mothers who have educable mentally retarded children, and their adaptation based on Roy’s adaptation model. Patients and Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 40 mothers of educable mentally retarded children referred to the single exceptional school in Aran va Bidgol City, Iran, during 2010 - 11. An adaptation questionnaire based on Roy’s adaptation model and demographic questionnaire were completed by the subjects. The results were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. Descriptive statistics and a Fisher’s exact test were used. Results: The overall adaptation of mothers was satisfactory. There was a significant relationship between the child’s birth order (P = 0.04) and the time of awareness of the child’s problem (P = 0.02), with adaptation levels in mothers who had a mentally retarded child. Conclusions: The child’s birth order and the time of awareness of the child’s problem were related to the mother’s adaptation level.