ASSESSMENT OF THE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN IVIBIORE COLLEGE BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The psychological and emotional wellbeing of parents of children with special needs is a critical area of study due to the unique challenges these parents face. This research aims to explore the multifaceted impacts on the mental health and emotional stability of these parents, focusing on factors such as stress, coping mechanisms, and social support. To guide the study five research questions were raised, the population of study was 200 and a descriptive survey research design was adopted for the conduct of the study of the with use of a questionnaire as the instrument for gathering data to answer research questions. The use of mean, frequency and position were used to present the results for ease of discussion and interpretation. The results showed that parents with of children with special needs faced challenges and stresssors in their daily caregiving roles and that a variety of coping mechanisms and support services where necessary to help them through their daily responsibilities. Therefore it can be inferred that parents of hildtren with special needs face both psychological and emotional challenges. Finally the study underscores the importance of tailored psychological interventions and robust social support systems in enhancing the wellbeing of these parents. The implications of these findings suggest the need for policies and programs that provide emotional, psychological, and social support to families navigating the complexities of raising children with special needs. This research contributes to the growing body of literature advocating for comprehensive support mechanisms to improve the overall quality of life for these families.