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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

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

Pozitif Psikoloji Akımının Zihinsel Yetersizliği Olan Çocuğa Sahip Anneler Örnekleminde İncelenmesi

Öz

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

Anahtar Kelimeler

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

Kaynakça

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