Modeling of Loneliness in Mothers with Children having Specific Learning Disorders based on Coping Strategies with the Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

The presence of specific learning disability (LD) in any family overshadows the structure and mental health of family members, especially mothers. The purpose of this study was the modeling of loneliness in mothers with children having LD based on coping strategies with the mediating role of self-efficacy.

The method of the current study was structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all the mothers with children having LD referred to medical centers in Tabriz, Iran in 2021, 300 of which were selected as the sample via purposive sampling and the questionnaires of loneliness (Russell and Pilva, 1980), coping techniques (Billing and Moss, 1981), and self-efficacy (Asghari and Nicholas, 1989) were completed. The obtained data were statistically analyzed through correlation coefficient and path analysis using SPSS and AMOS software.

The findings showed that the direct path from problem-oriented strategy to feeling lonely (P=0.009), from emotionoriented strategy to self-efficacy (P=0.0001), from emotion-oriented strategy to feeling lonely(P=0.032), and self-efficacy to feeling lonely (P=0.008) were statistically significant, but problem-oriented strategy to self-efficacy was not of significance(P=0.413). Additionally, the indirect pathway from problem-oriented to feeling lonely via self-efficacy was not significant (P=0.395), but emotion oriented to feeling lonely via self-efficacy was significant (P=0.005).

Based on the results of this work, it could be acknowledged that researchers and consultants in educational and medical centers can benefit by holding training workshops on coping strategies and skills training to strengthen self-efficacy and reduce the feeling of loneliness of mothers with LD children.