Coping among Mothers having Children with Developmental Disabilities

Psychology

The concept of ego defence mechanism and coping strategies are complex emotional, cognitive and behavioural process to solve conflicts and find an acceptable solution within a given condition. The present study aims at identifying the prevalence of different types of ego defence mechanism and coping strategies, assess levels of depression and also the status of general health among mothers having children with developmental disabilities. It also examines the relationship between types of defence mechanism, coping strategies, depression and general health. Data were collected from 30 samples, those who were bringing their children to attend rehabilitation services for not less than a period of three months. Case record files, defence mechanism, coping strategies, depression and general health status were examined. Findings indicated that mothers having children with disability commonly use adaptive ego defence mechanism and engagement coping strategies, but at the same time has a high level of depression and poor general health and well being. Immature defence mechanism especially acting out, wishful thinking and devaluation are associated with the severity of depression and poor general health and well being. Emotion focus disengagement coping strategies of self-criticism and social withdrawal were also observed to have a positive relationship with an immature ego defence mechanism. Neurotic defence style on the other hand was found to have a significant positive relationship with the problem focus engagement coping strategies of problem solving and cognitive restructuring and at the same time with problem focus disengagement scale of problem avoidance. The present study does not find any correlation between mature ego defence mechanism and engagement coping strategy.

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