Comparison between Hypochondriasis, Social Anxiety and Cognitive Avoidance in Mothers of Students with and without Learning Disability

The aim of this study is the comparison between Hypochondriasis, social anxiety and cognitive avoidance among mothers of students with and without learning disability. This study is causal - comparative. The population consisted of all mothers with children 9 to 14 years old with and without learning disability in 2013, in Ardabil city. The research sample consisted of 80 mothers of students with learning disability who were selected using available sampling method. 80 mothers of normal children through matching method (based on mother’s age, level of education and number of children) were selected. To collect data the Hypochondriasis, social anxiety disorder and cognitive avoidance scales were used. The gathered data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance. Results indicated that mothers of children with and without disability learning, there exist a significant difference in the Hypochondriasis, social anxiety and cognitive avoidance (P< 0/001). The results of current research indicate that mothers of children with learning disability are suffering more from Hypochondriasis, social anxiety and cognitive avoidance than mothers of children without learning disability. Therefore, educational and treatment interventions in order to improve psychological situation in mothers of children with learning disability is necessary.