الفهرس 
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Abstract
Mental retardation is a state of deficit of the development, beginning at the age of childhood, and results in significant limitation of intellectual abilities together with poor coping with the demands of everyday life. One of the major clinical consequences of mental retardation is the reduction of intelligent quotient (IQ) score of the affected persons. As such, IQ score was used clinically to classify the severity of mental retardation. Mild mental retardation is diagnosed in persons with IQ score between 50 and 70, whereas severe mental retardation is diagnosed in persons with IQ below 50. Mental retardation represents one of the most recurrently encountered disabilities among children. In Egypt, the prevalence of mental retardation was reported to be around 3.9%. Mental retardation affects on the quality of life of parents of mentally-retarded children especially the mothers because they are the primary caregivers.Adaptation of families with mentally-retarded children to the increased demands of their lives is influenced by many factors such as their socioeconomic status, the availability and quality of health services, the presence of social support network, and the strength of their religious beliefs. Providing comprehensive well-structured programs that meet the additional demands of those parents is critical to improve their health status and quality of life. For example, teaching different parenting strategies will enhance parent’s abilities to deal effectively with the erratic behaviors of their mentally-retarded children. Also teaching parents strategies of emotional control is of great help to control their anger and
psychological stress.The aim of this study was to improve the quality of life of mothers of mentally-retarded children. This case control study was carried in two schools, one for mentally retarded children, the other for normal children in Zagazig district. Students were selected using a multi stage random sampling technique as follows; random selection of schools, followed by classes, and then the students. The study was done over a period of three months, from start of february 2015 till end of april 2015. There were 41 mothers of mentally-retarded children and 82 mothers of normal children.