Parents of children with special needs face many challenges and stressors associated with their child’s disability. Previous research shows that parents of children with special needs experience more psychological problems than parents of children with normative development. Special needs can have a negative effect on parents and their mental health. The aim of our study was to examine the level of self-compassion, parenting stress, symptoms of depression and anxiety in parents of children with intellectual disability. The main goal was to explore the relationships between the mentioned constructs and to determine whether level of self-compassion proves to be important predictor of psychopathological symptoms. The study included 127 parents of children with intellectual disability, who attend schools with adapted program with lower educational standards and schools with special education program. We applied Self-compassion Scale, Parental Stress Scale and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Results showed significant relationship between level of self-compassion, parenting stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Level of self-compassion was important predictor of parenting stress, symptoms of depression and anxiety. Results also showed significant differences between parents in level of self-compassion and psychopathological symptoms, given the level of intellectual disability of a child.
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