Mental Ill-Health in Mothers Caring for Offspring With Intellectual Disabilities at Different Stages of Caregiving: Secondary Data Analysis and Data Linkage of Administrative and Health Records

Abstract

Background

Little research has investigated maternal-carer mental ill-health at different stages of care-giving, including following the death of offspring with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

Population cohort study of 9787 mothers of offspring with intellectual disabilities, matched with 30,235 mothers of offspring without intellectual disabilities.

Results

Mental ill-health was significantly higher for mothers of offspring with intellectual disabilities (OR = 1.28, 95% CI [1.22–1.34]) than mothers of offspring without intellectual disabilities and at different stages: child (OR = 1.40, 95% CI [1.30–1.51]), adult (OR = 1.22 95% CI [1.14–1.29]) but not older adults (OR = 1.22, 95% CI [0.91–1.65]). Mothers with a mental health diagnosis, compared to those without, were significantly more likely to have long-term health problems, poorer health and socioeconomic circumstances (e.g., greater neighbourhood deprivation) (all at p < 0.0001). No difference was found between mothers' mental health whose offspring with/without intellectual disabilities died (p = 0.68).

Conclusions

This study provides unique insights into factors associated with the mental health of maternal carers and the need for services to better meet their needs.