Factors Influencing the Parental Attitude towards Mentally Retarded Children A Case Study of Quetta City
Keywords:
Attitude, Parents, Mentally Retarded Children, Factors, Parents reactions.Abstract
Mental retardation is a global issue and in Pakistan it is a stunning and
disturbing certainty that around 2.5 to 3% of the total populations are
mentally retarded. Mental retardation is not only a educational,
psychological or biological issue in any case, it is a multi-dimensional
issue of a mixture of biological, educational and psycho-social factors.
These factors directly or indirectly effect the attitude of patents towards
their mentally restarted children. This study aims to find out the
influencing factors of parental attitude towards Mental Retardation in
Quetta. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. A
total of 50 parents/guardians were interviewed through semi structured
interview schedule. The study reveals that 76% parents have exposed their
positive parental attitude. Additionally, loopholes were revealed in areas
such as sanctioning of mental retardedness by parents, poor socialization,
rearing and taking ownership of MR children. Increased disappointment
at parent’s side was observed at lower level while increased number of
parents felt that they still have to play vital role in the life of such special
children. The study suggests policy and operational recommendations
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