Profile of Mothers of Children with a Disability Who Seek Support for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Abstract

This paper investigated the characteristics of mothers of children with a disability who registered for a mental health and wellbeing workshop. The questionnaire measured mental health, health-related behaviours, empowerment, family cohesion, wellbeing and child-related variables. Regression analysis identified factors associated with depressive symptoms and positive wellbeing. Fifty-seven percent of participants (N = 171) had depressive symptoms within the clinical range. Higher symptoms were associated with reduced: empowerment (r = - .39, p < .01); positive-wellbeing (r = - .66, p < .05); and healthy activity (r = - .41, p < .001). Low positive wellbeing (β = .55, p < .001) was the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms. Family cohesion (β = .25, p < .001), was the strongest predictor of positive-wellbeing. Future health and wellbeing interventions that support mothers with high care responsibilities should include psycho-education and strategies to address healthy maternal and family-related behaviour changes.

Keywords: Childhood disability; Mental health; Mothers; Wellbeing.