Evaluation of boding between mother and child and mothers' mental health of children with mental illness

OBJECTIVE: To verify and evaluate the mother-child bond and mental health of mothers of children with intellectual disabilities. METHODS: A total of 74 mothers of children aged up to 7 years participated. Data collection was made through interviews. Evaluation tools were Mother-Child Bonding Evaluation Protocol and Self-Report Questionnaire. We used statistical analysis χ(2) and Student-t tests. A 5%-level of rejection of the null hypothesis was set. RESULTS: There were no significant results between the average maternal ages, between bond and schooling, nor time of marriage and social status. The percentage of low social condition mothers with weak bond were 38.7% and in high condition, 68.8%. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of weak bond is associated with the Self-Report Questionnaire and socio-cultural conditions. That is, mothers with alteration in the Self-Report Questionnaire are more likely to develop mental disorders, weak bond with their children, the same occurring with the mothers in the most privileged social conditions.