The impact of socio-economic factors on raising a child with mental disability in the North West of Pretoria
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: In this study the impact of socio economic factors in raising a child with mental disability \nwas discussed and explored. There is limited research done on this topic in the world \nand in South Africa. \nStudies show that there is a direct link between poverty and mental disability. There are \nmultiple factors that have an influence on a family that have a child that suffers from \nmental disability. These factors include stress and unresolved emotions regarding the \nchild that suffers from mental disability, financial burdens, dealing with the child’s \nproblematic behaviour and the social stigma associated with disabilities. It was found \nthat there is little support available for families that have to deal with all these factors. \nDifferent aspects of mental disability have been discussed in this study in order to \ncreate a better understanding of mentally disability and to provide all the necessary \ninformation surrounding mental disability. Aspects that were discussed are: a) What is \nmental disability, b) Levels of mental disability, c) The link between poverty and mental \ndisability, d) Socio-economic and psychosocial factors that have an impact on the \nfamily, e) Causes of mental disability, f) Role of the social worker, and g) Services \nprovided to families. These aspects have been discussed through literature and in the \nempirical study. Findings from this study show that families that have a child with mental disability also \nhave to contend with a lot of socio-economic factors that play a role in the family. \nHaving a child with a mental disability in the house has an influence on all members of \nthe family. Children with a mental disability have serious emotional and behavioural \nproblems. Parents of mentally challenged children commonly experience different \nemotions. Raising a child with a mental disability may be more expensive than raising a \ntypical child. \nIt was thus concluded that there is a need to explore the impact of socio-economic \nfactors in raising a child with a mental disability.
Author: Anna M.E. Trollope
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1468591794