Profile of Mothers of Children with a Disability Who Seek Support for Mental Health and Wellbeing

This paper investigated the characteristics of mothers of children with a disability who registered for a mental health and wellbeing workshop. The questionnaire measured mental health, health-related behaviours, empowerment, family cohesion, wellbeing and child-related variables. Regression analysis identified factors associated with depressive symptoms and positive wellbeing. Fifty-seven percent of participants (N = 171) had depressive symptoms within the clinical range. Higher symptoms were associated with reduced: empowerment (r = -0.39, p < 0.01); positive-wellbeing (r = -0.66, p < 0.05); and healthy activity (r = -0.41, p < 0.001). Low positive wellbeing ([beta] = 0.55, p < 0.001) was the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms. Family cohesion ([beta] = 0.25, p < 0.001), was the strongest predictor of positive-wellbeing. Future health and wellbeing interventions that support mothers with high care responsibilities should include psycho-education and strategies to address healthy maternal and family-related behaviour changes.