Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support in Psychological Distress and Subjective Well-being among Parents of Intellectually Disabled Children and Non-disabled Children

Abstract

This study examines the role of perceived social support in psychological distress and subjective well-being among parents of intellectually disabled and non-disabled children. A cross-sectional research design was used for this study. Data was collected from Peshawar and Punjab (Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Wah Cantt); data were collected from 2016 to 2017 from the mentioned areas. The total sample of the study was (N=300) which was further divided into two groups intellectually disabled children’s parents (n=150) and non-disabled children’s parents (n=150). For the assessment Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Scale of Positive and Negative Experience, and Satisfaction with Life Scale were administered. The findings revealed that there was a negative correlation between psychological distress and social support among parents. There was a positive correlation between social support and subjective well-being, while on negative experience negative correlation was found. Perceived social support was the main predictor of psychological distress and well-being for disabled children’s parents but not for the parents of non-disabled children. Findings showed that perceived social support was the main factor for psychological distress (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress) and subjective well-being among disabled children’s parents; but with non-disabled children’s parents, social support was not the main predictor.