Influence of level of intellectual challenge of children and gender on burnout among caregivers of mentally challenged children and adolescents

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of level of intellectual challenge of children and gender on burnout among one hundred and sixty-three (163) caregivers of intellectually challenged children and adolescent, drawn from St Joseph’s Comprehensive Secondary School, Uwani, Enugu and Therapeutic Day-Care Centre Abakpa Nike Enugu. Maslach Burnout Inventory was used for data collection, and the respondents also indicated whether the persons under their care were educable or non-educable. A 2-way analysis of variance was used for data analysis. Result showed that the level of intellectual challenge of children had a significant influence on burnout of caregivers of the intellectual challenged children, F(163) = 5.49, p<.05, with the group who were educable reporting more burnout. There was also gender differences in burnout of caregivers of intellectually challenged children, F(163) = 6.08, p<.05, with men reporting more burnout than women. The interaction effect of level of intellectual challenge of children and gender on burnout of caregivers was significant, F(163 = 4.14, p<.05). The results of the study were discussed, the implication of the study highlighted, and suggestions proffered for further study.