ABSTRACT

The present article starts by observing: first, the presence of some special conditions that exist in the family environment of mentally retarded children; and second the major increase in drugs abuse among teenagers. We analyzed the presence of three possible factors influencing mental retardation: 1) The frequent abuse of alcohol in the family; 2) Parents' level of education; 3) Conflicts in the children s environment. Two groups are used: I - mental retarded children; II - normal children. We used a questionnaire and the children's medical - social history. A "chi" test is used to test the significance of the correlation between each factor and mental retardation. Our statistical and epidemiological results for all mentally retarded children, demonstrate that of all the factors, alcohol abuse causes - 21%. family conflicts - 44.7% and parents' level of education - 78.7% of mental retardation. So we can say that alcohol, family conflicts and level of education are major social factors among others, causing mental retardation in children, often working in combination with each other.

KEYWORDS: psychic retard, social factors.