الضغوط النفسية لدى أولياء أمور الأطفال المعاقين عقليًا في مدينة حائل في ضوء بعض المتغيرات
This study aimed to reveal the level of psychological stress among parents of mentally handicapped children in the city of Ḥaʼil, and the differences in the level of this stress according to the variables of gender, educational level of the parents, and the level of disability of the child. The sample consisted of (58) parents of mentally handicapped children, either severely or moderately. The researcher used the descriptive approach, and the Al-Sartawi and Al- shakhs Scale (1998) to achieve the objectives of the study. The results of the study showed a high level of psychological stress among parents, and statistically significant differences in the level of psychological stress attributed to the gender variable in favor of mothers, and to the effect of the educational level in favor of master’s and doctorate, and to the degree of the child's disability in favor of severe disability. Based on the results of the study, the researcher recommends building remedial programs to reduce the impact of psychological stress on parents of mentally handicapped children, and to increase interest on the part of the relevant authorities in providing psychological, social and economic support services to parents. (Published abstract)