Well-Being, Social Support, and Coping with Stress Among Parents of Children with Special Needs in the Post-COVID-19 Period: Gender Differences and Predictive Factors*

Kılıç Z. G., KOÇTÜRK N., Erkenekli B.

Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, cilt.19, sa.3, ss.256-275, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 19 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/19315864.2025.2584841
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Psycinfo, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Criminology Collection (ProQuest), Education Collection (ProQuest), Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.256-275
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Autism, intellectual disability, learning disability, parental well-being, social support
  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Introduction: In this study, stress coping methods, perceived social support, and psychological well-being of parents with children with special needs were examined. Methods: Volunteer-based convenience sampling was used in this study, which was conducted in a correlational research design. Data were collected from 362 parents with children with special needs. Results: Independent samples t-test revealed that fathers reported significantly higher levels of stress coping, perceived social support, and psychological well-being compared to mothers. ANOVA results showed significant differences in all three variables based on income level, with parents in the low-income group scoring significantly lower than those in the medium and high-income groups. Multiple regression analysis indicated that both stress coping and perceived social support by parents significantly predicted psychological well-being. Conclusion: It is necessary to prepare plans for crises for children with special needs and their parents and to carry out preventive and intervention studies.