Factors Affecting Depression in Mothers of Children with Disabilities

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting depression in mothers of children with disabilities and to identify the relationships between the depression, parenting-stress and self-esteem.METHODS: The participants were 100 mothers of children with disabilities lving in G city. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson Correlation Coefficients with SPSS/PC+ 21.0.RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between depression and parenting stress (p<.001). Depression was negatively correlated with self-esteem (p<.001). Variables affecting depression were parenting-stress, self-esteem and family income. The three factors accounted for 38.7% of the depression.CONCLUSION: The results of the study show that parenting-stress and selfesteem are the most significant factors affecting depression. There is an urgent need to develop nursing interventions to reduce levels of depression in mothers of children with disabilities and to help them lead a healthier life.