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Family intervention for intellectually disabled children

Randomised controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Paul Swamidhas Sudhakar Russell*
Affiliation:
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
Jacob Kochukaleekal John
Affiliation:
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
Jeyaseelan L. Lakshmanan
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
*
Dr P. S. S. Russell, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. PIN-632002. Fax: 0091-0416-232268; e-mail: Paulr@mhc.cmc.ernet.in

Abstract

Background

Resources to address the needs of parents of intellectually disabled children in developing countries are limited.

Aims

The efficacy of interactive group psychoeducation on measures of parental attitude towards intellectual disability was assessed in southern India.

Method

Fifty-seven parents randomised to 10 weeks of experimental and control therapy were assessed using the Parental Attitude Scale towards the Management of Intellectual Disability. The pre- and post-intervention measurements were done by a single-blinded rater and compared.

Results

The intervention group had a statistically significant increase in the outcome scores and clinical improvement in the total parental attitude score, orientation towards child-rearing, knowledge towards intellectual disability and attitude towards management of intellectual disability, but no change in attitude towards the intellectual disability subscale.

Conclusions

Interactive group psychoeducation is effective for changing the attitude of parents with intellectually disabled children, and is a viable option to be developed in situations where resources are limited.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

None.

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