The Optimalization of Family Coping n Caring for Mental Retardation Children through Family Psychoeducation in Jombang

Abstract

Background: Children with Mental retardation have intellectual limitations which cause dependency. The limitation of mentally retarded children becomes a stressor for the family which can affect the family's ability to provide care. So that adaptive coping is needed, so families can provide optimal care. Family psychoeducation is a way that can optimize family coping. Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of family psychoeducation on coping in treating children with mental retardation. Methods: The design of this study was quasi experimental pre-post test with control group of family psychoeducation intervention. The family population who had mental retardation children in Jombang was 277. While the sample was taken using a simple random sampling technique as many as 140 families with a distribution of 70 families as the control group and 70 families as the treatment group. The independent variable was family psychoeducation and the dependent variable was family coping in treating children with mental retardation. This study used the Wilcoxon statistical test in the treatment group 0.001 which followed by a Mann Whitney difference test which showed the results of ρ value (0.000) <α (0.05). Result: The results showed that there was an effect of family psychoeducation on family coping in treating children with mental retardation. Family psychoeducation provided information through a psychological approach to the care of children. Conclusion/implication: Families are expected not only understand the care of children with mental retardation but also improve family coping mechanisms so that psychosocial problems in the family are resolved properly.