Efficacy of psychoeducational interventions among parents and siblings of children with intellectual disability in reducing stress burnout and improving adjustment

Abstract

newlineEfficacy of psychoeducational interventions among parents and siblings of children with intellectual disability in reducing stress, burnout, and improving adjustment. newlineIntellectual disability (ID) presents significant challenges for families, particularly parents and siblings, who often experience heightened stress, burnout, and adjustment difficulties due to the demands of caregiving. newlineAim: This study investigates the efficacy of psychoeducational interventions in reducing stress, burnout while improving adjustment among parents (mothers) and siblings of children with ID. newline newline Method: Conducted in Navi Mumbai, India, the quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test/post-test control group design with 80 participants (40 mothers and 40 siblings, aged 30 45 and 12 25 years, respectively), equally divided into experimental and control groups. Standardized tools, including the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Parent and Family Adjustment Scale (PAFAS), and Sibling Inventory of Behavior (SIB), assessed stress, burnout, and adjustment of both parents and siblings. The experimental group received 15 virtual psychoeducational sessions over 20 weeks, incorporating ice-breaking activities, counseling, mindfulness meditation, guided imagery, yoga, communication games, and creative tasks, grounded in family systems theory. During the study period, no intervention was given to the control group. newlineResults: Pre-test scores showed no significant differences between groups, ensuring baseline equivalence. In post-test analysis, parents exhibited statistically significant reductions (p lt 0.01) in stress, burnout subscales (Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, Reduced Personal Accomplishment), and improvements in adjustment subscales (Parental Consistency, Coercive Parenting, Positive Encouragement, Parent-Child Relationship, Parental Adjustment). However, changes in family relationships and parental teamwork were not statistically significant (p gt 0.01). For siblings, significant...