The Impact of Disasters on Stress Levels of Caregivers of Children with Special Needs: A Comparative Study

Year 2024, Issue: 23, 811 - 831, 31.08.2024

Sinem Erturan , Zekiye Başaran , Mustafa Burak , Bülent Elbasan

Abstract

Aim: Caring needs of children with special needs increase the stress levels of caregivers for many reasons. The aim of this study was to examine, compare, and provide recommendations regarding the stress levels, factors influencing stress levels, and coping strategies among caregivers of both healthy and special needs children during disaster periods.
Method: This research was planned as a cross-sectional study. The survey, which was created in an electronic environment, disseminated to as many people as possible across the country via e-mail, various communication networks, and social media. After the demographic information of 261 caregivers were recorded, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21, the Caregiver Strain Index, and the Ways of Coping Inventory Questionnaire were administered.
Results: While the stress level was high (Mean±SD:7.67±3.98) in the caregivers of children with special needs, this level was within the normal limits (Mean±SD:6.44±3.61) in the caregivers of healthy children. There was a significant difference between the groups (p:0.009). In terms of coping with stress, caregivers of children with special needs were found to prefer emotion-focused/passive approaches, and there was a difference between the groups (p:0.000).
Conclusion: The restrictive conditions during disaster period can impact the mental health of caregivers of special needs children, and there are several factors involved in this process. In line with this, we believe that specific policies and strategies need to be developed to support the mental health of caregivers of special needs children during extraordinary situations such as disaster scenarios.

Keywords

Caregivers, natural disasters, mental health, child, children with special needs

Project Number

Bulunmamaktadır.

Özel Gereksinimli Çocuklara Bakım Verenlerin Stres Düzeylerine Afetlerin Etkisi: Karşılaştırmalı Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Özel gereksinimli çocukların bakım ihtiyaçları, birçok nedenle bakıcıların stres düzeylerini artırmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, felaket dönemlerinde hem sağlıklı hem de özel gereksinimli çocukların bakıcıları arasındaki stres düzeylerini, stres düzeylerini etkileyen faktörleri ve başa çıkma stratejilerini incelemek, karşılaştırmak ve öneriler sunmaktır.
Yöntem: Bu araştırma kesitsel bir çalışma olarak planlandı. Elektronik ortamda oluşturulan anket, e-posta, çeşitli iletişim ağları ve sosyal medya aracılığıyla ülke genelinde mümkün olduğunca çok kişiye ulaştırıldı. 261 bakıcının demografik bilgileri kaydedildikten sonra, Depresyon Anksiyete Stres Ölçeği 21, Bakıcı Yükü İndeksi ve Başa Çıkma Envanteri Anketi uygulandı.
Bulgular: Özel gereksinimli çocukların bakıcılarında stres düzeyi yüksekken (Ortalama±SD: 7,67±3,98), sağlıklı çocukların bakıcılarında bu düzey normal sınırlar içindeydi (Ortalama±SD: 6,44±3,61). Gruplar arasında önemli bir fark vardı (p: 0,009). Stresle başa çıkma konusunda, özel gereksinimli çocukların bakıcılarının duygu odaklı/pasif yaklaşımları tercih ettiği ve gruplar arasında farklılık olduğu bulundu (p: 0,000).
Sonuç: Felaket dönemindeki kısıtlayıcı koşullar, özel gereksinimli çocukların bakıcılarının ruh sağlığını etkileyebilir ve bu süreçte birçok faktör rol oynar. Buna uygun olarak, felaket senaryoları gibi olağanüstü durumlarda özel gereksinimli çocukların bakıcılarının ruh sağlığını desteklemek için belirli politikalar ve stratejiler geliştirilmesi gerektiğine inanıyoruz.

Keywords

Bakımverenler, doğal afetler, ruh sağlığı, çocuk, özel gereksinimli çocuk

Supporting Institution

Bulunmamaktadır.

Project Number

Bulunmamaktadır.

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