The effect of a mentally retarded child on family functioning in a third world community

Abstract

This study was undertaken to examine the functioning under conditions of extreme Third World poverty of 22 families in which there was a child with severe mental handicap. It has shown that despite a very restricted cash income the family units endured and 79% of the marriages were stable. A majority of siblings did not show disturbed behaviour. Adverse neighbourhood reaction to the child was reported by 32% and 91 % felt that community resources for mentally handicapped children were inadequate. The study has high‐lighted needs for larger social welfare grants, day care centres, a community based system of home and holiday relief and cultivation in the public mind of a more informed and sympathetic attitude to mental handicap.