The effect of educational intervention on the attitudes and behaviors of family caregivers caring for children with intellectual disability

Having an intellectually disabled child imposes many physical, mental, and social predicaments on the family. Appropriate interventions to improve attitude and create constructive caring behaviors can greatly support those families and provide them a healthier quality of life. This study conducted to determine the effect of the educational intervention on the attitudes and behaviors of family caregivers caring for children with intellectual disability. This study is a randomized, controlled, intervention study conducted in Narges rehabilitation center, Miyaneh in 2013. A total of 64 caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities aged 6-18 years were randomly divided into two groups. Intervention group received training classes (6 sessions) but control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected based on the researcher made, behavior and attitude questionnaires at beginning and the end of the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, paired t-test, t-test, and chi-square. Mean score of attitude and behavior in both groups was not statistically significant before the intervention. However, 90 days after the intervention, attitude and caring behavior of caregivers in the intervention group increased significantly (P<0.05). Educational intervention improved attitudes and behaviors of family caregivers significantly. Therefore, authors recommend further studies to evaluate the effectiveness of this model on other chronic conditions.