Investigating Psychological Profile of Families with Mentally Retarded Children Based on the Family Content Process Model in Elementary Schools in Shiraz

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the psychological profile of families with mentally retarded children based on the family content process model in elementary schools of Shiraz in the years of 2013-2014. Methods: The present study was conducted using descriptive and casual comparative method. The statistical population includes all parents of mentally retarded students of elementary schools studying in Shiraz during the academic year of 2013-2014. The number of parents of mentally retarded students is 853 people. Using Krejcie and Morgan table, 200 individuals were selected as sample size and cluster random sampling was used. The used instrument are standard questionnaire of family process self-reporting scales, which contains 43 questions with five-point scale, and the standard questionnaire of family content self-reporting scale, which consists of 38 questions with five-point scale including seven subscales of physical and mental health, time of being with together, financial resources, physical appearance, place of living, educational facilities and social status. Results: The reliability coefficient through retest test with two week intervals and alpha coefficient for this test was 0.80 and 0.85 for the process, respectively, and this scale contains five subscales of decision making and problem solving, coping skill, coherence and mutual respect, communication skills and religious beliefs. The reliability of the questionnaires was confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha method for questionnaire of family process self-reporting scales 0.85 of the reliability of the tool was confirmed by content validity method. Conclusion: The results of the research indicate a positive and significant relationship between the investigating style of psychological profile of families with mentally retarded children and family process self-reporting scales.