The Mediating Role of Compassion Fatigue in Relation between The Mother's Emotional Problems and Emotional-behavioral Problems of Children with Special Needs

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of compassion fatigue in the relationship between maternal emotional problems and emotional and behavioral problems of children with special needs. Materials and Methods: The research method is correlation. The population of this study included all mothers of children with special needs in primary school in Arak. 171 people were selected as a sample from this population using random cluster sampling method. The measurements of this study were the Compassion Fatigue Questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), and the Child Behavioral Checklist. Results: The results showed that there was a statistically significant positive relationship between maternal compassion fatigue and emotional and behavioral problems of children with special needs (P < 0.001). While the direct effect of maternal emotional problems on emotional and behavioral problems of children with special needs is not significant, the mother's emotional problems have a direct effect on compassion fatigue, which is statistically significant (P = 0.001); Also, maternal compassion fatigue directly affects the emotional and behavioral problems of children with special needs (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Maternal emotional problems increase compassion fatigue and with increasing maternal compassion fatigue, children's emotional and behavioral problems with special needs increase.