IMPACT OF STRESS LEVELS ON ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of perceived stress levels on anxiety and depression among parents of children with disabilities. The study included a sample of 104 parents of children with different types of disabilities, of whom 85.6% were mothers and 14.4% were fathers. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS -10) was used to assess the level of perceived stress, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used to assess anxiety, and the Patient Health Questio nnaire (PHQ -9) was used to assess depression. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis. The results indicated the presence of a moderate level of anxiety (M = 11.17; SD = 4.53), a moderately severe level of depression (M = 15.92; SD = 6.60), and a high level of perceived stress (M = 28.73; SD = 5.11) among parents of children with disabilities. Linear regression analysis showed that the level of perceived stress was a statistically significant predictor of anxiety (R² = 0.25; p < 0.001) and depression (R² = 0.27; p < 0.001). The obtained findings indicate that higher levels of perceived stress contribute to higher levels of anxiety and depression among parents of children with disabilities. The study results highlight th e need for the development of systematic psychological and social support for parents of children with disabilities in order to preserve their mental health.