Comparison of Cognitive and Emotional Deficiencies Between Parents of Children with Special Needs and Parents of Typically Developing Children

Abstract

Purpose: Parenting a child with special needs poses unique challenges that can significantly impact the cognitive and emotional well-being of parents. This study aims to compare cognitive and emotional deficiencies between parents of children with special needs and parents of typically developing children to understand the extent of these challenges and inform targeted interventions.

Methodology:  This descriptive, causal-comparative study included 120 parents, divided into two groups: 60 parents of children with special needs and 60 parents of typically developing children, all from Kashan, Iran. Participants completed the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using ANOVA to compare cognitive and emotional deficiencies between the groups.

Findings: The study found that parents of children with special needs had significantly higher levels of cognitive deficiencies, including distraction, memory-related problems, inadvertent errors, and failure to recall names, compared to parents of typically developing children. Additionally, these parents exhibited greater emotional deficiencies, such as difficulty identifying and describing feelings and externally oriented thinking.

Conclusion: Parents of children with special needs experience substantial cognitive and emotional challenges, likely due to the increased caregiving demands and chronic stress. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions, such as emotional regulation training and enhanced social support, to improve the well-being of these parents and their ability to care for their children effectively.