The impacts of mental disability: implications for social work practice

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the impacts of mental disability and the social work intervention measures in response to the phenomenon. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of this study consisted of all family members - male and female - of patients with mental disorders and social workers at the Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City. Using the stepwise random sampling procedure, 130 relatives of the mentally challenged persons that were in and out patients and 20 mental health social workers at the Psychiatric Hospital were randomly selected, giving a total of 150 participants of the study. The data collected was analyzed using linear regression at .05 level of significance and displayed on an ANOVA table. Results revealed that there is an increasing impact of mental disability on the mentally challenged individuals in the Nigerian context, given the influences on their socio-economic context, poor educational attainment, limited social interaction and inability to maintain appropriate parenting role. Also revealed is the need for social work interventions in response to the phenomenon. Given the findings, potential social work implications are suggested for improving the social functioning of the mentally challenged.

Keywords: mental disability, mental illness, social functioning, social work, intervention