An Investigation of the Positive Psychology Current in the Sample of Mothers with Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Year 2021, Volume: 3 Issue: 3, 676 - 695, 24.10.2021

Erdi Kulbaş Nilüfer Özabacı

https://doi.org/10.47793/hp.991219

Abstract

Individuals at all levels of intellectual disability need training by a teacher and physical or emotional support by an adult. The most important source of support for individuals with intellectual disability is their mothers. However, the diagnosis of intellectual disability for children born with great hopes and dreams brings many difficulties for every mother. In this sense, it is important that the mother of the individual with mental disability is physically, emotionally and psychologically healthy. It is very important for both themselves and their families that families, and especially mothers, get out of the emotional process and adapt to the situation as soon as possible. In addition, the way to develop hope for the independence of their child is to increase the positive emotions and well-being of mothers who have a primary care role. When the literature that will be the subject of the research is examined, the positive psychology movement, which aims to use the potential of individuals in a functional way by addressing their strong characteristics and positive aspects, can provide explanations from many aspects of the psychological process experienced by mothers. In this sense, the aim of the study is to evaluate the psychological state of mothers of children with intellectual disability within the framework of positive psychology. According to the results of the research, it has been seen that the psychological process experienced by the mothers is related to concepts such as psychological well-being, self-understanding, hope and optimism, which are among the fields of study of the positive psychology current. In this sense, in the last part of the research, theoretical studies on related concepts and experimental programs with proven effectiveness on the concepts were presented and suggestions were made.

Keywords

positive psychology, mental disability, psychological well-being, self-compassion, hope, optimism

Pozitif Psikoloji Akımının Zihinsel Yetersizliği Olan Çocuğa Sahip Anneler Örnekleminde İncelenmesi

Abstract

Zihinsel yetersizliğin her seviyesinde bireyler bir öğretici tarafından eğitime, bir yetişkin tarafından fiziksel veya duygusal desteğe ihtiyaç duyarlar. Zihinsel yetersizliği olan bireylerin en önemli destek kaynağı ise anneleridir. Ancak büyük umutlarla ve hayallerle dünyaya gelen çocuklarının zihinsel yetersizlik tanısı alması her anne için birçok zorluğu beraberinde getirir. Bu anlamda öncelikle zihinsel yetersizliği olan bireyin annesinin fiziksel, duygusal ve psikolojik olarak sağlıklı olması önem arz etmektedir. Ailelerin ve özellikle annelerin yaşadıkları duygusal süreçten bir an önce çıkıp duruma uyum sağlamaları hem kendileri hem de aileleri için çok önemlidir. Bunun yanında çocuğunun bağımsızlığına yönelik umut geliştirmenin yolu birincil bakım rolü olan annelerin olumlu duygularını ve iyi oluşunu artırmaktan geçmektedir. Araştırmaya konu olacak literatür incelendiğinde bireylerin güçlü özelliklerini ve olumlu yönlerini ele alarak potansiyelini işlevsel bir biçimde kullanmasını hedefleyen pozitif psikoloji akımı, annelerin yaşadıkları psikolojik sürece ilişkin birçok yönden açıklamalar sunabilmektedir. Bu anlamda çalışmanın amacı zihinsel yetersizliği olan çocukların annelerinin psikolojik durumlarını pozitif psikoloji akımı çerçevesinde değerlendirmektir. Araştırma sonucuna göre annelerin yaşadıkları psikolojik sürecin pozitif psikoloji akımının çalışma alanlarından psikolojik iyi oluş, öz anlayış, umut ve iyimserlik gibi kavramlarla ilişkili olduğu görülmüştür. Bu anlamda araştırmanın son bölümünde ilgili kavramları konu alan teorik çalışmalar ve kavramlar üzerinde etkililiği kanıtlanmış deneysel programlar sunularak önerilerde bulunulmuştur

Keywords

pozitif psikoloji, zihinsel yetersizlik, psikolojik iyi oluş, öz anlayış, umut, iyimserlik

References

• Altiere, M. J., & Von Kluge, S. (2009). Family functioning and coping behaviors in parents of children with autism. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 18(1), 83–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-008-9209-y
• Atagün, M.İ., Balaban, Ö.D., Atagün, Z., Elagöz, M. ve Özpolat, A.Y. (2011). Kronik hastalıklarda bakım veren yükü. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar, 3(3), 513-552. https://doi.org/10.5455/cap.20110323
• Bekhet, A. K., Johnson, N. L., & Zauszniewski, J. A. (2012). Effects on resilience of caregivers of persons with autism spectrum disorder: The role of positive cognitions. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 18(6), 337-344. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1078390312467056
• Bishop, S. R., Lau, M., Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., Anderson, N. D., Carmody, J., & … Devins, G. (2004). Mindfulness: a proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 11(3), 230–241. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bph077
• Bögels, S. M., Lehtonen, A., & Restifo, K. (2010). Mindful parenting in mental health care. Mindfulness, 1(2), 107-120. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2Fs12671-010-0014-5
• Cappe, E., Wolff, M., Bobet, R., & Adrien, J.-L. (2011). Quality of life: A key variable to consider in the evaluation of adjustment in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders and in the development of relevant support and assistance programmes. Quality of Life Research, 20(8), 1279–1294. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-011-9861-3
• Carr, A., Cullen, K., Keeney, C., Canning, C., Mooney, O., Chinseallaigh, E., & O’Dowd, A. (2020). Effectiveness of positive psychology interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 15(5), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1818807
• Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (2002). The hopeful optimist. Psychological Inquiry 13(4), 288-290.
• Cheavens, J. S., Feldman, D. B., Gum, A., Michael, S. T., & Snyder, C. R. (2006). Hope therapy in a community sample: A pilot investigation. Social Indicators Research, 77(1), 61-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11205-005-5553-0
• Crabtree, S.A. (2007). Family responses to the social inclusion of children with developmental disabilities in the United Arab Emirates. Disability & Society, 22(1), 49-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687590601056618
• Coatsworth, J. D., Duncan, L. G., Greenberg, M. T., & Nix, R. L. (2010). Changing parent’s mindfulness, child management skills and relationship quality with their youth: results from a randomized pilot intervention trial. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 19(2), 203–217. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10826-009-9304-8
• Conner, C.M., & White, S.W. (2014). Stress in mothers of children with autism: trait mindfulness as a protective factor. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8(6), 617–624. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2014.02.001
• Cooke, J. E. (2010). Hope, optimism, stress, and social support ın parents of children with ıntellectual disabilities [Unpublished Master’s Thesis]. The University of Southern Mississippi.
• Cox, C. R., Eaton, S., Ekas, N. V., & Van Enkevort, E. A. (2015). Death concerns and psychological well-being in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 45(46), 229-238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2015.07.029
• Deniz, M. E. Sahin, K., & Sümer, S. A. (2008). The validity and reliability of the turkish version of the self-compassion scale. Socıal Behavıor and Personalıty, 36(9), 1151–1160. http://dx.doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2008.36.9.1151
• Desiningrum, D. R. (2018). Grandparents’ roles and psychological well-being in the elderly: a correlational study in families with an autistic child. Enfermeria Clinica, 28(1), 304-309. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1130-8621(18)30175-X
• Drozd, F., Mork, L., Nielsen, B., Raeder, S., & Bjørkli, C. A. (2014). Better days A randomized controlled trial of an internet-based positive psychology intervention. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 9(5), 377-388. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.910822
• Ellis, J.B., & Hirsch, J.K. (2000). Reasons for living in parents of developmentally delayed children. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 21(4), 323-327. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-4222(00)00045-7
• Eryılmaz, A. (2017). Pozitif psikoterapiler. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar, 9(3), 346-362. https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.288667
• Fava, G. A., & Ruini, C. (2003). Development and characteristics of a well-being enhancing psychotherapeutic strategy: Well-being therapy. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry, 34(1), 45-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7916(03)00019-3
• Fava, G. A., & Tomba, E. (2009). Increasing Psychological Well-Being and Resilience by Psychotherapeutic Methods. Journal of Personality, 77(6), 1903-1934.
• https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2009.00604.x
• Fernandez, M. C., & Arcia, E. (2004). Disruptive behaviors and maternal responsibility: a complex portrait of stigma, self-blame, and other reactions. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 26(3), 356-372. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0739986304267208
• Gatford, A. (2007). Down’s syndrome: experiences of mothers from different cultures. British
• Journal of Nursing, 10(18), 1193-1199. http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2001.10.18.9940
• Gray, D. (1993). Perceptions of stigma: the parents of autistic children. Sociology of Health & Illness, 15(1), 102–120. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.ep11343802
• Hayat, I., & Zafar, M. (2015). Relationship between Psychological Well-Being and Coping Strategies among Parents with Down syndrome children. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 5(7), 109-117.
• Hefferon, K., & Boniwell, I. (2014). Pozitif psikoloji: Kuram, araştırma ve uygulamalar. (T. Doğan, Çev. Ed.). Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık.
• Herdman, EA. (2006). Derleme makale yazımında, konferans ve bildiri sunumu hazırlamada pratik bilgiler. Hemşirelikte Eğitim ve Araştırma Dergisi, 3(1), 2-4. https://jag.journalagent.com/kuhead/pdfs/KUHEAD_3_1_2_4.pdf
• Hollis-Walker, L., & Colosimo,K. (2011). Mindfulness, self-compassion, and happiness in non-meditators: a theoretical and empirical examination. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(2), 222–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2010.09.033
• Horton, T. V., & Wallander, J. L. (2001). Hope and social support as resilience factors against psychological distress of mothers who care for children with chronic physical conditions. Rehabilitation Psychology, 46(4), 382-399. https://doi.org/10.1037/0090-5550.46.4.382
• Hsiao, Y.-J. (2016). Pathways to mental health-related quality of life for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: roles of parental stress, children’s performance, medical support, and neighbor support. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 23(8), 122–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2015.10.008
• Irving, L. M., Snyder, C. R., & Crowson, J. J. (1998). Hope and coping with cancer by college women. Journal of Personality, 66(2), 195-214. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6494.00009
• Johnson, N., Frenn, M., Feetham, S., & Simpson, P. (2011). Autism spectrum disorder: Parenting stress, family functioning and health-related quality of life. Families, Systems, & Health, 29(3), 232–252. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025341
• Jose, A., Gupta, S., Gulati, S., & Sapra, S. (2017). Prevalence of depression in mothers of children having ASD. Current Medicine Research and Practice, 7(1), 11–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmrp.2016.12.003
• Kashdan, T. B., Pelham, W. E., Lang, A. R., Hoza, B., Jacob, R. G., Jennings, J. R., Blumenthal, J. D., & Gnagy, E. M. (2002). Hope and optimism as human strengths in parents of children with externalizing disorders: stress is in the eye of the beholder. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 21(4), 441–468. http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/jscp.21.4.441.22597
• Keyes, C. L., Shmotkin, D., & Ryff, C. D. (2002). Optimizing well-being: the empirical encounter of two traditions. Journal of personality and social psychology, 82(6), 1007-1022. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.82.6.1007
• Khanjani, M. (2017). The ımpact of positive psychotherapy on decreasing the college students' stress, anxiety, depression and ıncreasing their well-being. Quarterly of Clinical Psychology Studies Allameh Tabataba’i University, 7(28), 107-119. https://doi.org/10.22054/JCPS.2017.8158
• Koydemir, S., & Tosun, Ü. (2009). Impact of autistic children on the lives of mothers. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1(1), 2534–2540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2009.01.447
• Linley, A. (2009). Positive psychology. In S. Lopez (Ed.). The encyclopedia of positive psychology (pp.670-816). Blackwell Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444306002.ch16
• Luthans, F. (2002). Positive organizational behavior: developing and managing psychological strengths. Academy of Management Executive, 16(1), 57–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/AME.2002.6640181
• Lyubomirsky, S., Dickerhoof, R., Boehm, J.K., & Sheldon, K.M. (2011). Becoming happier takes both a will and a properway: an experimental longitudinal ıntervention to boost well-being. Emotion, 11(2), 391-402. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022575
• Mak, W., & Kwok, Y. (2010). Internalization of stigma for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Hong Kong. Social Science & Medicine, 70(12), 2045–2051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.02.023
• Miller, V. A., Schreck, K. A., Mulick, J. A., & Butter, E. (2012). Factors related to parents’ choices of treatments for their children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(1), 87–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2011.03.008
• Mitchell, A. E., Whittingham, K., Steindl, S., & Kirby, J. (2018). Feasibility and acceptability of a brief online self-compassion intervention for mothers of infants. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 21(5), 553–561. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0829-y
• Myers, R. E., Winton, A. S. W., Lancioni, G. E., & Singh, N. N. (2014). Mindfulness meditation in developmental disabilities. In N. N. Singh (Ed.), Psychology of meditation (pp. 209–240). Nova.
• Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-compassion: an alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and İdentity, 2(2), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032
• Neff, K. D., Pisitsungkagarn, K., & Hseih, Y. (2008). Self-compassion and self-construal in the United States, Thailand, and Taiwan. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 39(3), 267–285. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0022022108314544
• Neff, K. D. (2011). Self-compassion, self esteem, and well being. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 5(1), 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2010.00330.x
• Neff, K. D., & Beretvas, S. (2013). The role of self-compassion in romantic relationships. Self and Identity, 12(1), 78–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2011.639548
• Neff, K. D., & Faso, D. J. (2015). Self-compassion and well-being in parents of children with autism. Mindfulness, 6(4), 938–947. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-014-0359-2
• Parks, A. C., & Layous, K. (2016). Positive psychological interventions. In J. C. Norcross, G. R. VandenBos, D. K. Freedheim, & R. Krishnamurthy (Eds.). APA handbook of clinical psychology: Applications and methods, 3, 439–449. https://doi.org/10.1037/14861-023
• Peseschkian, N. (2015). Positive psychotherapy: Theory and practice of a new method. Springer Science & Business Media.
• Pratt, M. W., Norris, J. E., van de Hoef, S., & Arnold, M. L. (2001). Stories of hope: Parental optimism in narratives about adolescent children. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 18(5), 603-623. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407501185003
• Rand-Kevin, L., & Chavens-Jennifer S. (2009). Hope Theory. Shane J. Lopez & C.R. Snyder (Eds.), Oxford handbook of positive psychology (pp. 257-276). Oxford University.
• Rashid, T. (2009). Positive psychotherapy. Praeger Publishers.
• Rashid, T., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2013). Positive psychotherapy: A treatment manual. Oxford University Press.
• Rashid, T. (2015). Positive psychotherapy: A strength-based approach. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10(1), 25-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.920411
• Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069- 1081. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069
• Ryff, C.D., & Keyes, C.L.M. (1995). The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Pscychology, 69(4), 720-728. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.69.4.719
• Sari, H.Y., Baser, G., & Turan, J. M. (2006). Experiences of mothers of children with Down syndrome. Paediatric Nursing, 18(4), 29-32. https://doi.org/10.7748/paed2006.05.18.4.29.c1024
• Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1985). Optimism, coping, and health: Assessment and implications of generalized outcome expectancies. Health Psychology, 4(3), 219-247. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.4.3.219
• Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszenmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5
• Seligman, M.E.P. (2002). Positive psychology, positive prevention and positive therapy. In C.R. Snyder & S.J. Lopez (Eds.). Handbook of positive psychology (pp. 3-9). Oxford University Press.
• Seligman, M.E.P., Steen, T., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410-421. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.60.5.410
• Seligman, M. E., Rashid, T., & Parks, A. C. (2006). Positive psychotherapy. Am Psychol, 61(8), 774-788. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.61.8.774
• Seligman, M. E. P. (2012). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-Being. Free Press.
• Sheldon, K., Kashdan, T. B., & Steger, M. F. (2011). Designing positıve psychology: taking stock and moving forward. Oxford Press.
• Sin, N., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2009). Enhancing well‐being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions: a practice‐friendly meta‐analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 467-487. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20593
• Smeets, E., Neff, K., Alberts, H., & Peters, M. (2014). Meeting suffering with kindness: effects of a brief self-compassion intervention for female college students. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70(9), 794-807. https://doi.org/ 10.1002/jclp.22076
• Snyder, C. R. (2002). Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. Psychological Inquiry, 13(4), 249–275. http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1304_01
• Snyder, C. R., Rand, K. L., & Sigmon, D. R. (2002). Hope theory: A member of the positive psychology family. In C.R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology. Oxford University Press.
• Snyder, C, R. (2005). Teaching: The lessons of hope. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 24(1), 72-84. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.24.1.72.59169
• Tarhan, S. ve Bacanlı, H. (2016). İlkokuldan üniversiteye umut kavramının tanımlanması üzerine nitel bir çalışma. Eğitimde Nitel Araştırmalar Dergisi. 4(2), 86-112. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/enad/issue/32040/354580
• Vural-Yüzbaşı, D. (2018). Zihinsel engelli çocuğa sahip annelerin iyi oluşlarının başa çıkma tarzları, aile gereksinimleri ve sosyal destek değişkenleriyle modellenmesi (Yayın No. 492022) [Doktora Tezi, Ege Üniversitesi]. YÖK Tez Merkezi. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezSorguSonucYeni.jsp
• Walsh, F. (2003). Family resilience: a framework for clinical practice. Family Process, 42(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.2003.00001.x
• Weiss, L. A., Westerhof, G. J., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2016). Can we ıncrease psychological well-being? the effects of ınterventions on psychological well-being: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Plos One, 11(6), e0158092. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0158092
• Xu, Y. (2007). Empowering culturally diverse families of young children with disabilities: the Double ABCX Model. Early Childhood Education Journal, 34(6), 431-437. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10643-006-0149-0