Social and Psychological problems facing parents of children with disabilities in Dar es Salaam region

The purpose of this study was to examine social and psychological problems encountered by parents of Children with disabilities in Tanzania. The information collected by parents of children with disabilities in Tanzania. The information collected was based on the research questions which demand the examination of psychological and social problems, the psychological and social support availed to parents, guardians of children with disabilities and challenges they face and and coping strategies they employ to encounter those challenges. The study used Cmic, Fredich and Greenberg (1983) Stress, Coping and Family Ecology model. The research was mainly qualitative and interviews and focus group discussion were employed to collect information from eleven parents of children with varied disabilities. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques had been used to obtain sample respondents. Findings revealed that parents of children with disabilities lived amongst various psychological and social problems that resulted into distress and resignation or acceptance. They, however, employed various strategies to tackle challenges that they were facing, such as sharing experiences among them, seeking support such as information about their childrens disabilities. It was revealed that there was a need for comprehensive network system to deal with caretakers (parents) problem. In this case, there is the need of strong network system which will help in recognition of parent`s rights and needs. Educating community was also seen as tool of changing communities so that they can accommodate parents of children with disabilities. Finally the area for further research was recommended.