Psychosocial Impacts and Coping Strategies Among Caregivers of Children with Specific Learning Disabilities
Shailza Bharti1, Digvijoy Phukan2
1Shailza Bharti, Scholar, Department of Social Work, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dehra Gopipur, District Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), India.
2Digvijoy Phukan, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh), India.
Manuscript received on 25 June 2025 | First Revised Manuscript received on 06 July 2025 | Second Revised Manuscript received on 17 November 2025 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 December 2025 | Manuscript published on 30 December 2025 | PP: 15-20 | Volume-5 Issue-2, December 2025 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijssl.A120305010925 | DOI: 10.54105/ijssl.A1203.05021225
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© The Authors. Published by Lattice Science Publication (LSP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, which include Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), face various challenges. Objective: The study aimed to assess the psychosocial impacts and coping strategies employed by these caregivers. Methodology: For this study, the researcher employed a mixed-methods research strategy and a descriptive research design. Non-probability snowball sampling was used as a sampling method. Using the snowball sampling technique, 100 caregivers of children with SLD were interviewed. Primary data was collected from respondents. The interview was the method of data collection. The collected data were analysed and interpreted in relation to the study’s objective. Findings: A significant majority (83 per cent) reported a ‘markedly increased’ fear. Fifteen per cent experienced a ‘slight increase’ and only 2 per cent reported ‘no change’ in fear regarding their child with SLD. Twenty-three per cent of caregivers experienced a ‘markedly increased’ loneliness. In comparison, 64 per cent of caregivers reported a ‘slight increase’ in the feeling of loneliness, and 13 per cent reported ‘no change’. There was also a significant change in worry about the future due to the child’s poor academic performance. There was also a change in social connectedness, and the respondent also faced social stigma. It was found that the respondents coped with the situation by performing daily puja rituals and withdrawing socially to avoid negative comments.
Keywords: Caregiver, Disability, Specific Learning Disabilities.
Scope of the Article: Social Science