Perception of religion and spirituality in individuals with down syndrome

Religion and spirituality are phenomena that can be seen in many areas of life. The relationship of individuals with special needs with these concepts is also a subject worth investigating. In this context, it was aimed to investigate the effects of the differences that Down syndrome, a mental disability, evokes in individuals on the perception of religion and spirituality, and it has become a matter of curiosity how abstract concepts are handled. This study aims to examine the perception of religion and spirituality of individuals with Down syndrome. In particular, it was investigated how elements such as the image of God, mystical experience, religious concepts and symbols are understood and interpreted by these individuals. Within the scope of the study, a qualitative method was adopted and semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals with Down syndrome over the age of 18, regardless of gender. The obtained data were evaluated with the content analysis method, and it was revealed which elements were prominent in the individuals' religious lives and spiritual worlds. In the findings obtained within the scope of the research, it was concluded that individuals with Down syndrome were not indifferent to religious-spiritual concepts, that there were subjects they had knowledge about, and that they were able to express their views, albeit limited. While they were more successful in perceiving and defining concrete concepts, they had difficulty talking about abstract concepts and stated that they sometimes experienced uncertainty. In the study, the answers of individuals with Down syndrome were interpreted as a contribution of religious and spiritual context to sociality and support for the search for meaning.