Comparison of Cognitive Flexibility and Resilience Levels in Mothers of Children with Specific Learning Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Normal Development

Year 2024, Volume: 21 Issue: 4, 208 - 220, 07.08.2024

Mürüvvet Aydemir , Gözde Önal

https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1485452

Abstract

This cross-sectional study compared the cognitive flexibility and resilience of mothers with children having specific learning disabilities (SLD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and normal development (ND). The sample comprised 87 mothers (29 in each group). Data were collected using the “Sociodemographic Information Form”, “Cognitive Flexibility Inventory”, and “Resilience Scale for Adults”. Significant differences were found in cognitive flexibility and resilience among the three groups. Mothers of children with ASD had significantly lower cognitive flexibility scores than those with SLD and ND. In terms of resilience, mothers of children with ASD scored lower than mothers of ND children but did not differ significantly from mothers of SLD children. No significant difference was observed in cognitive flexibility and resilience between mothers of children with SLD and those with ND. The study results indicate that mothers of children with ASD are at risk in terms of cognitive flexibility and resilience, highlighting the need for psychosocial intervention programs for these mothers. Although mothers of children with SLD appear to be psychologically stronger compared to mothers of children with ASD, more detailed research on the subject is necessary.

Keywords

Cognitive flexibility, resilience, autism, spesific learning disability, mother

Özgül Öğrenme Güçlüğüne Sahip Çocuklar ile Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğuna Sahip Çocukların Annelerinde Bilişsel Esneklik ve Psikolojik Sağlamlık Düzeylerinin Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

Bu kesitsel çalışmada, özgül öğrenme güçlüğü (ÖÖG), otizm spektrum bozukluğu (OSB) ve normal gelişim gösteren (NG) çocukların annelerinin bilişsel esneklik ve psikolojik sağlamlık düzeyleri karşılaştırılmıştır. Örneklem, her grupta 29 anne olmak üzere toplam 87 anneden oluşmuştur. Veriler “Sosyodemografik Bilgi Formu”, “Bilişsel Esneklik Envanteri” ve “Yetişkinler için Psikolojik Sağlamlık Ölçeği” kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Üç grup arasında bilişsel esneklik ve psikolojik sağlamlık açısından anlamlı farklılıklar bulunmuştur. OSB’li çocukların annelerinin, ÖÖG’li ve TG çocukların annelerine göre anlamlı derecede daha düşük bilişsel esneklik puanlarına sahip olduğu görülmüştür. Psikolojik sağlamlık açısından, OSB’li çocukların anneleri, TG çocukların annelerine göre daha düşük puan almış, ancak ÖÖG’li çocukların anneleriyle anlamlı bir fark göstermemiştir. ÖÖG’li çocukların anneleri ile TG çocukların anneleri arasında bilişsel esneklik ve psikolojik sağlamlık açısından anlamlı bir fark gözlenmemiştir. Çalışma sonucu, bilişsel esneklik ve psikolojik sağlamlık açısından OSB'li çocukların annelerinin risk altında olduğunu ve anneler için psikososyal müdahale programlarının gereklliliğini göstermiştir. ÖÖG'ye sahip çocukların anneleri OSB'li çocukların annelerine kıyasla psikolojik anlamda daha güçlü görünmesine rağmen konu ile ilgili daha detaylı araştırmalar gerekmektedir.

Keywords

Bilişsel esneklik, psikolojik sağlamlık, otizm, özgül öğrenme güçlüğü, anne

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