The psychological characteristics of a mother's attitude towards a child with intellectual disabilities

The purpose of the study is to identify the characteristic features of a mother's attitude towards a child with intellectual disabilities in comparison to a mother of a child with normal psychological development. Research methods and organization. Methods of analysis and generalization of literary sources, surveys, questionnaires, and interviews, as well as methods of mathematical statistics, were employed. The study was conducted over a period of two years with the participation of 120 mothers. Research results and conclusions. The study revealed statistically significant differences in the emotional-evaluative, cognitive, and behavioral parameters of the mother's attitude towards a child with intellectual disabilities compared to a child with normal psychological development. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the mothers of children with intellectual disabilities, on one hand, suppress the child's willful and emotional expressions, particularly aggression. On the other hand, they strive to accelerate the child's maturation process by developing their activity. Difficulties arise in expressing empathy and emotional support for the child with intellectual disabilities, with a predominance of a negative emotional background and uncertainty in solving problems related to the child's upbringing. Unlike the mothers of children with normal psychological development, they seek to ensure the child's safety and protection, demonstrate physical contact and empathy, focus on the child, while at the same time intruding into their personal space. The article outlines the prospects for further research.