Psychological Distress among Parents of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Shivanand Kattimani^*
*Correspondence: Shivanand Kattimani, Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India, Email:

Introduction

An increased risk of anxiety and depression, more stress and a worse quality of life are all associated with parenting a kid who has a neurodevelopmental disability (NDD). Although there is evidence to suggest that raising NDD children in LMIC might be difficult, little is known about the psychological suffering experienced by these parents, particularly in rural regions. The study's objective was to investigate the psychological discomfort experienced by rural Nepalese caregivers of children with NDD. Experienced mental health specialists visited and interviewed 63 carers in their homes. The General Health Questionnaire was used in this study to assess demographic data, handicap severity, perceived caregiver burden and psychological distress.

Description

It might be difficult to parent a kid who has a neurodevelopmental issue. In some parts of the world, this problem may be made worse by poverty and a lack of community support. The term "NDD" is used to describe a variety of problems that affect the developing brain, including cerebral palsy, genetic disorders, intellectual disability and other conditions that cause impairments in cognition, motor function, vision, hearing, speech and behaviour. Epidemiological information on the prevalence of NDD in low- and middleincome countries is lacking, although it is believed that between 93 and 150 million children worldwide have some form of disability, with the majority of them residing in low-income nations [1].

Because they are frequently underrepresented in official statistics, children with disabilities continue to be politically and socially "invisible." In general, NDD problems are predicted to be more prevalent in low- and middleincome countries because to the increased incidence of known risk factors such inadequate prenatal and postnatal care for mothers and children, dietary deficiencies and newborn infections. NDD is a public health risk for LMIC due to their high prevalence, lifelong length and significant social, emotional and economic repercussions, as well as their effect on post-secondary education and career chances. Although they represent a significant cost on healthcare systems, treatment, prevention and management of these illnesses are frequently not taken into account in healthcare plans [2].

Due to the numerous extra difficulties associated with parenting a child with NDD in an LMIC, caregiving experiences may also vary depending on the setting. Stigma, rejection and unjust laws can worsen social isolation and psychological misery. The presence of psychiatric distress in the caregiver is linked to reports of lower levels of social support, dysfunctional families, a greater negative impact of the child's situation on the family, poorer child behaviour, unfavourable parenting approaches, poorer child psychosocial functioning and even a negative effect on siblings and marriage [3]. The psychological, intellectual and emotional development of the kid has been found to be impacted by the mother's depression and it has also been suggested that it may raise the child's risk of malnutrition and physical as well as mental disease.

Cultural differences in mental health and disability knowledge, attitudes and conceptions affect how people cope with stress and seek for support, which can result in inefficient treatment. Clarke and colleagues discovered that gender and family-related issues were frequently included in Nepali mothers' perceptions of psychological discomfort. The response to anguish was frequently influenced by a fatalistic worldview and the discomfort frequently evolved in a setting of felt responsibility towards the family and restricted autonomy for women [4]. In Nepal, there is a strong belief that disability is caused by sins committed in a previous life, fate and God's will. Human Rights Watch reported that families with impairments face stigmatisation.

The study has some drawbacks. Given the tiny sample size, statistical interpretation should be used with care. Nepal is a very ethnically and culturally varied country, thus even if the sample was drawn from several districts, the results might not be an accurate reflection of the reality for NDD caregivers in rural Nepal. Due to the lack of a public registry for children with NDD, information on potential NDD cases in the area was acquired from residents, youth groups, local authorities and other organisations; however, some instances may have been overlooked. Some families, however, might not have wished to reveal that their kid had a disability. This might be biassed because the study did not include such kids [5].

Conclusion

In four areas of Nepal, the study discovered that caregivers of children with NDD experienced significant levels of psychological anguish and total hardship. Having a close friend to confide in and receiving assistance from health professionals were related with decreased psychological discomfort, but perceived caregiver load was connected with more psychological anguish. The element that contributes to psychological distress in NDD caregivers in the cultural and socioeconomic context in which the families spend their lives has to be better understood and addressed.

References

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