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Big-Five Personality Traits and Depression Among Parents of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Makurdi, Nigeria: Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Fateman Iorlumun, Samuel Terzungwe Anhange, Pauline Aiingona Atsehe, David, Igbawase Akuen

Abstract

Parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders have over the years suffered from multiple stressors such as the trauma of their children’s suffering, financial challenges, physical stress and bleakness of their children not having the desired future. More so, personality differences and irrational beliefs have also shaped parents’ inclinations to depression. These factors serve as critical predispositions to depression which are yet to be tested in research among parents of neurodevelopmental disorders. This study thus looks at the roles of big five personality traits and cognitive behavioural therapy on depression. This study investigated big-five personality traits and depression among parents of children with neuro-developmental disorders in Makurdi, Nigeria; and the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy. The study adopted cross-sectional survey and quasi-experimental (mix-method) design. This study used simple random sampling technique to draw the 50 parents of children with neuro-developmental disorders. The participants comprised of 17 (24.3%) males and 53 (75.7%) females. Their ages ranged from 26 – 53 years with a mean age of 39.04 years (SD=13.31). The instruments used for data collection include; Big Five Inventory and Beck’s Depression Inventory. Data analysis was done using Simple Linear Regression, Standard multiple regression and Dependent t-test. Findings indicated that there was a significant negative influence of openness to experience on depression among parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Makurdi Nigeria. There was a significant negative influence of conscientiousness on depression among parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Makurdi Nigeria. There was a significant negative influence of extraversion on depression among parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Makurdi Nigeria. There was a significant negative influence of agreeableness on depression among parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Makurdi Nigeria. There was a significant positive influence of neuroticism on depression among parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Makurdi Nigeria. There was a significant joint influence of the big-five personality traits on depression among parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Makurdi Nigeria. It JHSP JHSP JHSP P-ISSN 2695 2416 was concluded that al the dimensions of the Big Five personality traits are significant determinants of depression among parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Makurdi Nigeria. Also, cognitive behavioural therapy had significant effect on depression among parents. The study recommends that since having a child with neurodevelopmental disorders may come with irrational thoughts and beliefs, cognitive behaviour therapy should be the primary modality of treatment for parents presenting with depression and emotional instability (neuroticism). Key words: Big-Five Personality Traits, Depression, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Keywords

Big-Five Personality TraitsDepressionNeurodevelopmental DisordersCognitive Behavioural Therapy

References

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