Psychological Factors Affecting Parents of Mentally Retarded Children

The present study was an attempt to assess religious orientation, psychological distress and frustration as well as to find out relationship of religious orientation with psychological distress and frustration among parents of mentally retarded children. Parents of mentally retarded children were compared on religious orientation, psychological distress and frustration with respect to their gender, education, residence and child¿s level of retardation. The results showed significant negative correlation between intrinsic religious orientation and psychological distress and significant positive correlation was found between extrinsic religious orientation and psychological distress. The results also showed significant difference among parents of mentally retarded children on frustration with respect to their residence. Significant difference was also found among parents of mentally retarded children on intrinsic religious orientation and psychological distress with respect to their gender, educational qualification and their child¿s level of retardation.