Investigation of state-trait anxiety, marital satisfaction and marital adjustment in parents of children with disabilities

The aim of this research was to investigate marital satisfaction, marital adjustment and levels of state and trait anxiety in parents of children with disabilities. The sample consisted of parents of children with- (n=390) and without disabilites (n=390) who agreed to participate in the study and whose children were attending to mainstream schools, rehabilitation centers and special education schools (for disabled children) in İstanbul,Zeytinburnu (Total n=780). Participants were assessed by using a Marital Adjustment Test, Marital Satisfaction Scale, State- Trait Anxiety Inventory and a sociodemographic form. Results showed that marital adjustment and marital satisfaction were significantly higher in families with disabled children compared to those with children without disabilities..State anxiety was significantly higher in participants who had high school or higher education.. It may be thought that parents of children with disabilites can have problems about resolution of conflicts and having good quality spare time activities due to burdens and responsibilities resulting from their children's disability. Development of psychological support programs to increase the abilities for conflict resolution and effective time planning in parents of disabled children attending to special education and rehabilitation centers might be planned.