Quality of life and its related factors in Iranian mother's with a mentally retarded child

In addition to the child, disability also affects the family, especially the mothers. Since attention to maternal health is influential on family and community health and the level of satisfaction and quality of life of people is influenced by society and culture, this study evaluated the quality of life of mothers with a mentally retarded child and its related variables in the city Semnan (Iran).

This is a cross-sectional study. Census method was used to study mothers of intellectual disability children and 43 of them participated. Control group included 43 of mothers with normal children too. A demographic form and World health organization summery test of quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) were used for data collection. Total score and each subtest were compared between the groups and correlations between scores and demographic data were studied.

Total score of the test and also psychological and environmental subtest scores were significantly lower in the study group. Among studied variables (age, sex, communication and appearance of children, number of children and family`s income also mother`s education and outside working), just mother`s education and family’s income had a significant weak negative correlation with quality of life (z=-0.3).

Mothers of mental retarded children were less satisfied. There was a negative correlation between such dissatisfaction and mother`s educational level and family income which can be due to more expectations of such mothers from the child. So mothers of mental retarded children especially with more education need supports and consultations to improve their quality of