Positive thinking, resourcefulness skills, and future anxiety among the caregivers of children with intellectual disability: an intervention study

Abstract

Positive thinking is a mental attitude that focuses on positive thoughts and beliefs in order to improve one’s outlook on life and is linked to a variety of positive psychological and health consequences, as well as decreased anxiety and depression. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an intervention program on positive thinking, resourcefulness skills, and future anxiety among caregivers of children with intellectual disability. A quasi-experimental design was used on 70 caregivers whose children were attending the intellectual education school in Zagazig City. Data were collected through an interview questionnaire sheet composed of sociodemographic datasheet and child characteristics, the Positive Thinking Skills Scale (PTSS), the Resourcefulness Skills Scale (RSS), and the Future Anxiety Scale. The mean score of future anxiety was lower at the post-intervention phase compared to pre-intervention among the participants’ caregivers. Otherwise, the mean scores of positive thinking, social resourcefulness, personal resourcefulness, and total resourcefulness were higher at the post-intervention phase compared to pre-intervention among the participants’ caregivers. Positive thinking improved among 60.76%, resourcefulness skills among 19.49%, and future anxiety decreased among 21.30% of the caregivers after the intervention. The intervention program was efficient in improving the caregivers’ positive thinking and resourcefulness skills and decreasing their future anxiety. A continuous psychosocial training program is recommended to enhance the caregivers’ positive thinking and improve other aspects of psychological adjustment.