Personality and Life Satisfaction among Parents of Children with Intellectual Disability: The mediating role of Cognitive Flexibility

Abstract

The current research aims to measure the personality traits and life satisfaction among parents of children having intellectual disability with the mediating role of cognitive flexibility. The survey method was used to collect data from parents of children having intellectual disability. A sample 150 parents of children with intellectual disability was selected by using purposive sampling from south Punjab in special education centers and schools. HEXACO personality inventory-revised, Satisfaction with life questionnaire and Cognitive flexibility scales were used in collection of data. The data was analyzed through SPSS and AMOS (24.0). The results of bivariate correlation found that honesty-humility, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness and cognitive flexibility have significant positive association with life satisfaction, while emotionality has significant negative association with cognitive agility and life satisfaction. The results of Structural Equation Model found that honesty, and consciousness has significant positive impact on cognitive agility, and life satisfaction, whereas emotionality posted negative significant impact on cognitive flexibility and life satisfaction. Cognitive flexibility has noteworthy mediating role in relationship of honesty, emotionality, and consciousness with life satisfaction among parents with intellectual disability. In children gender differences through Independent Sample T-test found the honesty-humility, emotionality extraversion, conscientiousness, cognitive flexibility, and life satisfaction are significantly higher among parents of with male children as compared to parents with female children, while parents of female children have higher emotionality level as compared to parents of male children.