Effect of counseling process in reducing the psychological problem experienced by parent of mentally challenged children
Authors: Sharma Payal 
Published: September 2022

Mentally challenged condition of a child is not a disease. It is a condition of mental deficiency, a state of incomplete mental development of such a kind and degree that the individual is incapable of adapting himself to the normal environment of his fellows in such a way as to maintain existence independently of supervision, control or external support. The conceptual framework of the study was based on Orlando Nursing process theory. Orlando spokes about “The Dynamic nurse-patient relationship”, her theory reflects her belief that nursing practice should be based on the needs of the patient. The essence of her theory is its focus on the patient and his needs and the communicative interface between nurse and mothers. A pre-experimental, One-group pre-test post-test design was undertaken for the study. The independent variable for the study was the counseling process and the dependent variable was stress and anxiety of the parent of mentally challenged children selected special schools. The study was conducted in various special schools of M.P. The samples for the study were the parent of mentally challenged children selected special schools and the sample size for the study were 200. Non- probability purposive sampling technique was utilized to select the sample from the population. The data collection instrument was the Perceived Stress Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Scale to assess the stress and anxiety of the parent of mentally challenged children. After assessing stress and anxiety Counselling process was implemented for 30 minutes for 6 days. After intervention on 7th day the post-test knowledge was assessed. The investigator terminated the data collection process by thanking the respondents for their co-operation & participation. Mean percentage and standard deviation was used to explain the background variables. Chi-square was used to measure the association of background variables of patients. ‘t’ test was used to assess the effectiveness of Counselling process to of mentally challenged children. The findings of the study have proved that there was a significance reduction in stress and anxiety among 200 mothers of mentally challenged children after administration of counseling process. In the pretest, 30 (15.0%) participants had low stress, 120 (60.0%) participants had moderate stress and 50 (25.0%) participants had high stress. Then intervention in the form of counseling was given and the same questionnaire read ministered. In the posttest, 120 (60.0%) participants had low stress, 50 (25.0%) participants had moderate stress and 30 (45.0%) participants had high stress. Thus, there was a decrease in the perceived stress level after counseling. In the pretest, 40 (20.0%) participants were having mild to moderate severity and 160(80.0%) participants were having moderate to severe severity. Then intervention in the form of counseling was given and the same questionnaire read ministered. In the posttest, 130 (65.0%) participants were having mild to moderate severity and 70 (35.0%) participants were having moderate to severe severity.