Anxiety and depression in parents of children and adolescents with intellectual disability

Background: Parents of the children and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) are prone to psychological distress than as compared to parents of normally developing children and adolescents. Various biopsychosocial factors affect the perception and manifestation of this stress and influences difference in quality and severity in psychological outcomes. When a couple faces stress of caregiving as a unit, it is worthwhile to know and assess distribution pattern amongst the primary care giver and the other parent. Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the proportional distribution of depression and anxiety in primary care giver and the other parent in parents of children and adolescents with ID. Materials and Methods: Using a Cross-sectional observational study design, 99 parents (99 fathers and 98 mothers) of 99 children and adolescents (up to 18 yrs of age) with Intellectual Disability were assessed for Depressive and Anxiety symptoms using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Comparison of proportional distribution of psychiatric morbidity among fathers and mothers (primary care giver) was done using 2 independent sample proportion tests. Results: The mothers were found to be the primary care givers. 35.4% of fathers and 66.3% of mothers had significant depressive symptoms. 57.6% of fathers and 91.8% of mothers had significant anxiety symptoms. In 33 couples, fathers did not report anxiety or depressive symptoms but corresponding 27 mothers reported significant anxiety or depressive symptoms or both. In rest of the couples in whom fathers reported anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, the corresponding mothers also reported. In six couples where mothers did not report anxiety or depression, the fathers also did not report any anxiety or depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Depressive and Anxiety symptoms are very prevalent in parents of children with ID. Their proportion is significantly high in primary care giver (mother) as comparedto corresponding other parent (father). There is unequal distribution of anxiety and depression in these parents with a skew towards mother.