Evaluation of Physical Activity, Depression, and Quality of Life in Siblings of Children with Special Needs

Öz

Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate physical activity, depression and quality of life in siblings of children with special needs, and to compare these parameters in children with healthy siblings. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2024 and June 2024 with 80 children with a sibling who has special needs and 80 children with a healthy sibling, all residing in Istanbul. Both groups were assessed using a demographic information form, the Children’s Quality of Life Scale, the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children. Results: The mean age of children who have siblings with special needs was found to be 120 ± 48 months, while the mean age of children with healthy siblings was 124 ± 57 months. There was no statistically significant difference in demographic information between the participants. The Psychosocial Health Score, Physical Health Score, Total Health Score, and physical activity levels of children who have siblings with special needs were lower, with a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.005). The CDI scores of children who have siblings with special needs were higher, and there was a significant difference between the two groups(p<0.005). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that children who have siblings with special needs are disadvantaged in terms of physical activity levels, quality of life, and depression compared to those with healthy siblings. Living with a sibling with special needs appears to have negative impacts on children’s psychosocial and physical health. These results suggest that targeted interventions may be needed to improve the quality of life and provide psychosocial support for children who have siblings with special needs.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• siblings
• activities of daily living
• depression
• quality of life

Özel Gereksinimli Çocukların Kardeşlerinde Fiziksel Aktivite, Depresyon ve Yaşam Kalitesinin Değerlendirilmesi

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışma, özel gereksinimli çocukların kardeşlerinde fiziksel aktivite, depresyon ve yaşam kalitesini değerlendirmek ve sağlıklı kardeşe sahip çocuklarda bu parametrelerin karşılaştırılması amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yöntem: Kesitsel çalışma, Ocak 2024 ile Haziran 2024 arasında İstanbul’da ikamet eden özel gereksinimli kardeşe sahip 80 çocuk ve sağlıklı kardeşe sahip 80 çocuk ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Her iki grup da demografik bilgi formu, Çocuklar İçin Yaşam Kalitesi Ölçeği, Çocuklar İçin Depresyon Envanteri (ÇDE) ve Çocuklar İçin Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Özel gereksinimli kardeşe sahip çocukların yaş ortalaması 120 ± 48 ay, sağlıklı kardeşe sahip çocukların yaş ortalaması ise 124 ± 57 ay olarak bulunmuştur. Katılımcılar arasında demografik bilgiler açısından istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark yoktur. Özel gereksinimli kardeşe sahip çocukların Psikososyal Sağlık Skoru, Fiziksel Sağlık Skoru, Toplam Sağlık Skoru ve fiziksel aktivite seviyeleri daha düşük bulunmuş ve iki grup arasında anlamlı bir fark saptanmıştır (p<0.005). Özel gereksinimli kardeşe sahip çocukların ÇDE skorları daha yüksek bulunmuş ve iki grup arasında anlamlı bir fark saptanmıştır (p<0.005). Sonuç: Bu çalışma, özel gereksinimli kardeşe sahip çocukların fiziksel aktivite seviyeleri, yaşam kalitesi ve depresyon durumları açısından sağlıklı kardeşe sahip çocuklara göre dezavantajlı olduğunu göstermektedir. Özel gereksinimli kardeşle yaşamanın çocukların psikososyal ve fiziksel sağlıkları üzerinde olumsuz etkileri olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Bu sonuçlar, özel gereksinimli kardeşe sahip çocukların yaşam kalitelerini artırmak ve psikososyal destek sağlamak için hedeflenmiş müdahalelere ihtiyaç duyulabileceğini düşündürmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• kardeşler
• günlük yaşam aktiviteleri
• depresyon
• yaşam kalitesi
• özel gereksinimli çocuklar

Kaynakça

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