Post-traumatic growht in caregivers of individuals diagnosed with chronic diseases before the age of 18

The purpose of this study is to examine the post-traumatic development of caregivers of individuals with cancer, which has a high risk of death before the age of 18, type 1 diabetes, a chronic disease that affects the person's life and lifestyle forever, and to contribute to the literature. The sample of the study consisted of caregivers of individuals diagnosed with cancer or type 1 diabetes before the age of 18 who applied to Antalya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi and individuals who were treated in other hospitals and met the conditions. 42 people caring for cancer patients, 41 people caring for type 1 diabetes patients, and 42 people caring for people with no chronic disease were included in the study. The Sociodemographic Form, which includes the descriptive and caregiving characteristics of the caregivers, the Coping Attitudes Assessment Scale and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory were used as data collection tools in the study. When the findings are examined, it is seen that the total score of Post-Traumatic Growth does not differ significantly according to the diagnostic groups. In the "Change in Self-Perception" sub-dimension of post-traumatic growth, a significant difference is observed between disease types. It was determined that the difference between the year of diagnosis and the post-traumatic growth total, the "Change in Self-Perception" and "Change in Life Philosophy" sub-dimensions among the caregivers of Type 1 Diabetic patients was found to be statistically significant. In the correlation analysis where all groups were included, it was determined that there was a positive and significant relationship between Coping Attitudes and Post-Traumatic Growth total, "Change in Self-Perception" and "Change in Philosophy of Life" sub-dimensions of Post-Traumatic Growth. It was determined that there was a positive and significant relationship between the Coping Attitudes of the caregivers of cancer patients and Post-Traumatic Growth total, "Change in Relationships with Others" and "Change in Philosophy of Life" sub-dimensions of Post-Traumatic Growth. This study has contributed to the literature on post-traumatic growth among caregivers of individuals diagnosed with cancer or type 1 diabetes before the age of 18.