Parental Stress Responses to Raising Children with Developmental Disorders in Lagos State

This study examined parental stress responses to raising children with developmental disorders in Lagos State, Nigeria. Sixty parents (12 males, 48 females) participated, and data were analyzed using T-test, Pearson correlation and one-way ANOVA. Findings showed that parents of children with developmental disorders reported significantly higher stress than those without. Social support demonstrated a protective effect, as higher levels of support were associated with reduced stress. However, socio-economic status, measured by income, was not significantly related to stress levels. These results underscore the critical role of social support networks over financial resources in alleviating caregiver stress. The study recommends community-based interventions, public awareness campaigns, and culturally sensitive mental health services to address the unique challenges faced by these parents.