An experimental study to assess the effectiveness of coping enhancement programme on stress management among mothers of children with mental retardation at selected schools, bangalore

Aim: This experimental study assessed the effectiveness of a coping enhancement programme on stress management among mothers of children with mental retardation at selected schools in Bangalore. Objectives: To assess pretest and post-test stress levels among mothers in experimental and control groups; to compare pre- and post-test stress levels within and between groups; to associate pretest stress levels with demographic variables in both groups. Methods: A pre-test post-test control group design was used with a purposive sample of 60 mothers (30 experimental, 30 control) from selected schools in Bangalore. Stress levels were measured using a structured interview schedule based on the Perceived Stress Scale. The coping enhancement programme included Humming-Bee relaxation technique and Pursed Lip Breathing, administered over sessions. Data were analyzed using descriptive (frequencies, means, SD) and inferential statistics (paired t-test, independent t-test, chi-square) at p<0.05. Results: Pretest: 46.7% in experimental and 43% in control had clinically significant stress. Post-test: 66.7% in experimental had normal stress, while 40% in control had high stress. Experimental group showed significant reduction (t=10.89, p<0.05); control group minor change (t=2.02, p<0.05). Post-test difference between groups was significant. Associations found with age, income (experimental), and religion (control).