The Psychological Impact of Announcing a Child's Disability or Illness on Parents from the Perspective of Psychologists

Abstract

The present study, entitled “ The Psychological Impact of Announcing a Child's Disability or Illness on Parents from the Perspective of Psychologists,” aims to explore the level of psychological effects and reactions resulting from informing parents of their child’s illness or disability. This event is considered a painful experience that may cause profound psychological trauma and distress. The study also examines these effects from the perspective of psychological specialists.
In addition, the study seeks to identify the level of psychological, medical, and social care needed by parents, as perceived by specialists. It further highlights the importance of the manner in which the diagnosis is communicated, as well as the role of the medical team in delivering the news in a humane and gradual way, providing psychological support, and accompanying parents to help them overcome the shock and reach a stage of acceptance and adaptation to their child’s condition.
A descriptive method was adopted through the use of a questionnaire assessing the psychological effects of announcing a child’s illness or disability, administered to a sample of (32) psychological specialists. The results indicated a high level of primary shock-related psychological effects among parents, as well as a high level of need for psychological, medical, and social care from the perspective of the specialists.