Assessment of parent's opinions regarding their mentally retarded children: a cross- sectional study in Tehran

Mental retardation incorporate diminished growth in different physical, psychological and social fields that could produce numerous problems for parents taking care of the children.
The purpose of this study is the determination of parent's opinions regarding their mentally retarded children.
This is a cross- sectional research. At first, 2 centers were selected via random sampling. Then, 199 parents of mentally retarded child who referring to these centers were selected through convenience sampling method. The data have been gathered through researcher build questionnaire and then analysed. The questionnaire was valid and reliable.
Mean age of parents was 34± 2.5. Most of them 52.7% (105persons) have children at first birth order. Findings showed that the most important factor in determining parental opinions about the acceptance of mentally retarded children, are included; parents’ emotional and psychological disorders due to having mentally retarded children (4.86 ± 0.12). Parents’ malfunctioning marital relations due to having mentally retarded children (4.62 ± 0.24), and their need for taking education on how to raise and nurture mentally retarded children (4.32 ± 0.22).
In order to for improving the opinions of parents of mentally retarded child to accept their child, psychological promotion through educational interventions for them should be taken.