Navigating Parenthood: The Impact of Social Support and Socioeconomic Status on the Mental Well-Being of Parents Raising Children with Special Needs

This study explores the significant mental health challenges encountered by parents raising children with special needs in Region XI during the school year 2023-2024. It investigates the influence of social support and socioeconomic status on these challenges, emphasizing how these factors shape the parents' overall mental well-being. Despite receiving substantial social support, parents continue to report notable mental health difficulties, suggesting that caregiving demands and financial strain play pivotal roles in their psychological distress. Parents of children with special needs often experience heightened stress due to their caregiving responsibilities, limited access to essential resources, and the financial burdens associated with their children's care. These adversities contribute to poor mental health, characterized by anxiety, stress, and feelings of burden. The study examines the quality of social support—encompassing the strength of relationships and cultural alignment—and its role in mitigating mental health challenges. Additionally, it evaluates how socioeconomic status, particularly financial stress, affects parents' capacity to cope with these demands. The findings reveal a moderate level of mental health challenges among parents, with an overall mean score of 3.09. Although the parents report high social support (mean = 3.97), this protective factor is insufficient to fully alleviate their mental health struggles. Anxiety and stress (mean = 2.68) and parenting-specific stress (mean = 3.50) emerge as significant contributors to low mental health. Furthermore, the moderate score for "Access to Resources and Financial Stress" (mean = 2.78) highlights the economic pressures that exacerbate the parents' psychological distress. This study underscores the need for comprehensive support systems that address both emotional and financial needs to improve the mental health of parents raising children with special needs.