Comparison between Personality Traits and Adjustment of Mothers of Mentally Retarded and Normal Students in Tehran in 2008- 2009

The purpose of this study is to investigate personality traits and adjustment of mothers of normal and mentally retarded children in Tehran. The statistical population includes all mothers who in Tehran. The sample consists of 200 mothers (100 mothers with mentally retarded children and 100 with normal children) that were selected by convenience sampling method. For data collection, Bell’s social adjustment scale and Cattell’s 16 personality factor questionnaire are used in this study. The data are analyzed by using multivariate and univariate analysis of variance and T test. The results indicate that there is a significant difference between mothers of mentally retarded children and those of normal girls in terms of personality traits and adjustment. It means that mothers of mentally retarded children have lower adjustment level compared with mothers of normal girls. Also mothers of normal children have shown higher level of personality factors in general intelligence, emotional stability, creating a strong and stable temperament than mothers of mentally retarded children. According to the research findings, it is suggested that providing special trainings for parents can reduce stress, increase adaptability and is generally effective in improving mental health.