Causal Chain Analysis(CCA) of the Causes of Mothers’ Anxiety who Have Children with Developmental Disabilities with Serious Problem Behaviors

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes about mothers’ anxiety who have children with developmental disabilities with serious problem behaviors. For this study, the cause of mothers’ anxiety related to problem behaviors of children with developmental disabilities were analyzed using Causal Chain Analysis(CCA). Participants in this study were three mothers of children with developmental disabilities who attended a special school in C region. The semantic data was extracted from the data transfered through interview and interpreted by Causal Chain Analysis. The results of this study are as follows: First, the immediate causes of mothers’ anxiety were ‘the children’s learning opportunities loss due to problem behaviors’, ‘lack of skill in responding to problem behaviors’, ‘dependence on medical services’, and ‘physical and mental difficulties’; Second, the intermediate causes of mothers’ anxiety were ‘social isolation’ and ‘confusion over the cause of problem behavior’ and; Third, the root causes of mothers’ anxiety were ‘the absence of a school system to solve problem behaviors’. Finally, the results of this study were discussed and the implications, limitations, and follow-up studies were suggested.