A Structural Model of Health-Related Quality of Life Based on Parenting Stress and Spiritual Well-Being with the Mediating Role of Locus of Control in Parents of Children with Specific Learning Disorder

Background: Raising children with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) is a stressful experience that may influence the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of parents of children with SLD. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of locus of control in the relationship of parenting stress and spiritual well-being with HRQOL in parents of children with SLD. Materials & Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study population comprised all parents of children with SLD in 2020-21, among whom 174 parents were selected through convenience sampling. The research instruments included the SF-36 Questionnaire, Parenting Stress Index, the Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire, and the Locus of Control Scale. The proposed model was evaluated using path analysis. Results: there was a significant relationship between spiritual well-being and HRQOL, locus of control and HRQOL, parenting stress and locus of control, and between spiritual well-being and locus of control (P<0.01). However, no significant relationship was found between parenting stress and HRQOL. Indirect paths of parenting stress were significantly correlated with HRQOL through the mediating role of locus of control and there was a significant relationship between spiritual well-being and HRQOL with the mediating role of locus of control (P<0.01). Conclusion: This study revealed that locus of control is a significant mediator in the relationship of parenting stress and spiritual well-being with HRQOL in parents of children with learning disorder.