Mental Health Status of Mothers with Children with and without Disability: A Comparative Study of Women in Nepal

Abstract

Introduction
Childhood disabilities pose a significant risk to maternal mental health. This study aims to compare the mental health of mothers raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delays (DD), comparing their stress levels including anxiety and depression with those of mothers of neurotypical (NT) children.

Method
A cross-sectional survey of mothers attending Pediatric outpatient Department of TU Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu was conducted immediately post-pandemic. The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) was used to measure stress including anxiety and depression. Mothers of children with ASD, DD, and NT children, without other comorbid health conditions were included in the study.

Results
Of the total 150 participant mothers, 34 (22.6%) were mothers of children with ASD, 32 (21.3%) were mothers of children with DD, and 84 (54.6%) were mothers of NT children. More than half of the mothers with children with ASD and DD were found to have stress including anxiety and depression, as compared to 9.5% of the mothers with NT children.  Mothers of children with ASD had significantly higher odds of stress (OR 15.7; 95% CI: 5.6–44.1; p < 0.01). Similarly, mothers of children with DD also showed higher odds of stress (OR 11; 95% CI: 3.9–31.1; p < 0.01). Maternal education was identified as an important predictor of stress. Higher stress level was observed among mothers of children with ASD who had education below the 10th grade, with an odds ratio of 7 (95% CI: 0.75–65.2).

Conclusion
There is high level of anxiety and depression in mothers with children with ASD and DD as compared to mothers with NT children.