Parental Concerns and Attitude Towards Children Diagnosed with Mental Retardation Attending Outpatient Unit of Yaba Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

Parents of children with mental retardation has economic, social and psychological, this concerns are real and may affect the level of care given and attitude by parent to their children. The study therefore investigated the concerns and attitude towards diagnosis of mental retardation among parents of children attending outpatient clinic of Yaba Neuro psychiatric Hospital, Lagos Nigeria. The research design was descriptive survey while the population for the study was 72 parents from outpatient department of Yaba Neuropsychiatric hospital, using total enumeration. A validated questionnaire was developed and used for gathering information on parental concerns and attitudes towards children diagnosed with mental retardation. The data from the survey was entered and analyzed descriptively and inferentially using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 26. The findings showed that concerns among parents includes 51.4% social stigma, 83.3% cost of raising a mentally retarded children, 75% taking care of the mental retarded is exhausting, parental attitude toward mental retarded include 86.1% raising a mentally retarded children is a frustrating experience. The study also revealed that only psychological concerns influence attitude of parents towards their children. The researchers recommended among others that there should be preventative measures to reduce the factors that lead to mental retardation. It was also recommended the provision of rehabilitation services and training of children in schools and special institutes, besides supporting their families psychologically, socially and economically to reduce their concerns. Keywords: Attitudes, Children, Mental retardation, Parental concerns