DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS AND EMOTIONAL STATES IN PARENTS OF DISABLED AND NON-DISABLED CHILDREN

Abstract

This article is a survey of the results of research carried out in Estonia about the depressive symptoms and emotional states among 151 mothers End 57 fathers of disabled children End 101 mothers and 55 fathers of non-disabled children. The results show that parents, especially mothers of disabled children, have significantly more negative emotional states and also significantly more depressive symptoms. Significant differences in depression symptoms between the disabled and control parent group were found in most symptoms. Parents in the control group were significantly more happy, glad, satisfied, proud, grateful, happy for their child, pleased and hopeful.