Psychosocial Impacts and Coping Strategies Among Caregivers of Children with Specific Learning Disabilities

Abstract

Caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, which include Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), face various challenges. Objective: The study aimed to assess the psychosocial impacts and coping strategies employed by these caregivers. Methodology: For this study, the researcher employed a mixed-methods research strategy and a descriptive research design. Non-probability snowball sampling was used as a sampling method. Using the snowball sampling technique, 100 caregivers of children with SLD were interviewed. Primary data was collected from respondents. The interview was the method of data collection. The collected data were analysed and interpreted in relation to the study's objective. Findings: A significant majority (83 per cent) reported a ‘markedly increased’ fear. Fifteen per cent experienced a ‘slight increase’ and only 2 per cent reported ‘no change’ in fear regarding their child with SLD. Twenty-three per cent of caregivers experienced a ‘markedly increased’ loneliness. In comparison, 64 per cent of caregivers reported a ‘slight increase’ in the feeling of loneliness, and 13 per cent reported ‘no change’. There was also a significant change in worry about the future due to the child's poor academic performance. There was also a change in social connectedness, and the respondent also faced social stigma. It was found that the respondents coped with the situation by performing daily puja rituals and withdrawing socially to avoid negative comments.