AI Insight
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies involving over 740 participants examined psychological interventions for caregivers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The analysis found that these interventions significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and parenting stress while improving overall mental health and wellbeing. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy showed the strongest effects on depressive symptoms, while mindfulness and psychoeducational approaches were particularly effective for stress management and emotional regulation.
Why it matters
The findings provide evidence for integrating targeted mental health support into disability services and family-centered care programs. These interventions can help address the substantial psychological burden experienced by caregivers due to prolonged caregiving demands, behavioral challenges, and social stigma.
Understand the Science
IntroductionMothers and caregivers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities often experience depression, anxiety, parenting stress, emotional exhaustion, and reduced psychological wellbeing because of prolonged caregiving demands, behavioral difficulties, financial strain, and social stigma. Psychological and behavioral interventions have increasingly been introduced to improve caregiver mental health outcomes. This study examined the effectiveness of these interventions on the mental health of mothers and caregivers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.MethodologyThe study adopted a systematic review and meta-analysis design guided by PRISMA procedures. Electronic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, ERIC, and Google Scholar, were searched for relevant studies published up to December 2025. Fourteen studies involving more than 740 participants met the eligibility criteria. Data extraction, quality appraisal, subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias assessments were conducted using standard meta-analytic procedures.ResultsThe findings demonstrated that psychological and behavioral interventions significantly improved depression, anxiety, parenting stress, mental health, and wellbeing outcomes among caregivers. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy produced the strongest reductions in depressive symptoms and irrational beliefs, while mindfulness and psychoeducational interventions improved stress management, emotional regulation, and parenting self-efficacy.DiscussionThe findings suggest that caregiver-focused psychological interventions may strengthen emotional resilience, coping capacities, and family wellbeing. The review highlights the importance of integrating evidence-based mental health interventions into disability support and family-centered rehabilitation services.