Social Support, Help-Seeking Intention, Psychological Well-Being of Parents of Children With Disabilities

This study examined the relationships between social support, psychological well-being, and help-seeking intentions among parents of children with disabilities. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected a total of 115 parents from two schools located in Cavite City participated in the study to assess their sources of support, well-being levels, and help-seeking tendencies. Results showed that biological mothers were most often identified as the primary caregivers, with autism and ADHD being the most common neurodevelopmental diagnoses. Parents reported strong emotional support from family and educational institutions, while support from local government units was moderate. Psychological well-being was generally average, with environmental mastery scoring highest and personal growth and purpose in life scoring lower. Although many parents expressed a strong intention to seek help from close relationships, formal help-seeking through professional services remained low, likely due to stigma and limited awareness. Mediation analysis revealed that while social support positively influenced help-seeking intentions, it did not significantly mediate psychological well-being, suggesting the role of other factors such as cultural norms and personal resilience. The study underscores the need to strengthen informal and formal support systems and offers practical recommendations for parents, educators, practitioners, and policymakers. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.