Impact of Educational Program on Stress and Coping Strategies among Mothers Caring for Down Syndrome Children

Abstract

Impact of Educational Program on Stress and Coping Strategies among Mothers Caring for Down Syndrome Children 1Rehab Hanie Elkazaz, 2 Fatma Mohamed Mohamed, 3Hala Mousad, 4lnas Abd Elsattar Ebied 1Ass. Prof. of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, port Said University 2Ass. Prof. of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University 3&4lecturer of psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, port Said University

Abstract

Background: Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality linked to mental retardation. It does not only impede the development of the affected child but also poses a psychological threat to all other family members, particularly mothers. Aim: The study aimed to determine Impact of Educational Program on Stress and Coping Strategies among Mothers Caring for Down Syndrome Children. Design: A quasi experimental design was used. Settings: The study was conducted in the genetic counseling center affiliated to Ministry of Health in Port –Said city. Sample: A convenient sample of a total of fifty mothers and their children with Down syndrome aged 4-12 years participated in this study. Tools of data collection: Three tools were utilized to collect data for this study; A structured Interviewing questionnaire sheet, psychological Stress Scale and Coping strategies scale. Results: revealed that the percentage of high psychological Stress is significantly decreased, the average scores of all items of positive copying are significantly increased, while the average scores of all items of negative copying are significantly decreased after the educational Program. Conclusion: The educational Program implementation had statistically significant positive effect on lowered levels of psychological stress and increased positive coping strategies for mothers with Down syndrome children. Recommendation: Continuous educational program on Stress and Coping Strategies should provide for Mothers with children of Down syndrome. Keywords: Coping strategies, Down syndrome Children, Mother Training, Stress.