Abstract
The study focused on socio - emotional coping strategies utilized by families of
special needs children in Enugu State, Nigeria. It answered two research
questions. Descriptive survey design was adopted. Population was 430
parents (240 urban and 190 rural) with special needs children (visual impaired,
hearing impaired and physically disabled). Purposive and snowball sampling
techniques were used. Focus group discussion (FGD) guide and questionnaire
were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean and standard
deviation. Sixty coping strategies were identified. Some of the major findings
of the study on social coping strategies utilized by families of special needs
children (SNC) include: Attending parties – social outing as distraction
(3.30±0.84), Stopping child from playing with others outside (2.97±1.15),
Telling neighbors / friends about child’s challenge (2.97±0.91) and Seeking
assistance from community agencies (2.91±0.82). Among the emotional coping
strategies utilized by families of SNC are: Hurting oneself (3.57± 1.55), Spoiling
child with excess food (3.56 ±0.87), Blaming self about child (3,54± 0.86) and
Feeling bad about child. Based on the findings of this research work
recommendations were made and these include: Parents of the special needs
children should utilize the findings of this study and seek avenues to improve
themselves through attending health care seminars and workshops. among
others.