Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of specific nursing on quality of life of the parents of children with mental retardation (MR). Methods 160 parents of children with MR and 160 parents of normal children were evaluated with WHO Quality Of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). The children with MR were divided into observation group (n=80) and control group (n=80). The control group received the traditional nursing care, and the observation group accepted specific nursing care. The scores of WHOQOLBREF were compared. Results The score of WHOQOL-BREF was lower in the MR group than in the normal group (P<0.01). The score decreased with the aggravation of MR (P<0.001). The score of WHOQOL-BREF was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion Specific nursing should be given to the parents of children with MR, which can promote their quality of life.

Key words: mental retardation, quality of life, nursing countermeasures