The effect of group training on the knowledge and attitudes of caregivers of intellectually disabled children

Having an intellectually disabled child imposes many physical، mental، and social problems on family and involves them in vulnerability. Carrying out appropriate interventions for improving the knowledge and creating favorable attitude can greatly support these families and give them the better life quality. This study has been carried out with the aim of determining the effect of group training on the knowledge and attitudes of caregivers of intellectually disabled children. This study is a randomized controlled intervention study which was conducted in Narges rehabilitation center of Miyaneh in 2013. 64 caregivers with intellectually disabled children aged 6-18 years were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. 6 sessions of training classes were held for intervention group، but the control group didn`t receive any intervention. In both groups، at the beginning and end of the study، data were collected based on researcher-made questionnaires of the knowledge and attitude. Data were analyzed through SPSS21 and by using of paired t-test، independent t-test and chi-square. There was no significant statistical difference between the average of the caregiver`s knowledge، attitude and behavior in both groups، before intervention. The results showed that، 1. 5 months after conducting the intervention، the increase in the rate of caregiver`s knowledge and attitude in intervention group before intervention (8. 542. 80، 62. 296. 51) and after intervention (72. 573. 76، 14. 501. 86) was significant (p<0. 05). Group training for the caregivers of intellectually disabled children leads to increase their knowledge and attitude. Taking into consideration the increase of caregiver’s knowledge، perception and attitude، will help him/her in the care of specialized and efficient.