Relationships between psychological resilience, social support and attitudes towards sports of parents with disabled children

The acceptance and socialization of individuals with disabilities into society is of great importance for both parents and individuals with disabilities. Individuals with mild intellectual disabilities are in a more advantageous position than individuals with other degrees of intellectual disabilities in terms of participation in society and professional life. It is difficult for individuals with disabilities to make decisions on their own in terms of their health status. In this process, parents need to feel psychologically well in order to make healthy decisions for their children. In this case, parents with disabled children need social support from their close environment. Since it is difficult for children with disabilities to make their own decisions, parents prioritize the socialization of their children. One of these socialization methods is participation in physical education, sports and physical activities. In this case, parents have a great role. The aim of this study is to determine the relationships between psychological resilience, social support and attitudes towards physical education class of parents with disabled children. In this context, the data obtained from the scales applied in this context is to determine the level of differentiation according to the variables of gender, income status, whether the child does sports or not, number of children with disabilities, age, education level, degree of disability, total number of children. The population of the study consists of parents with disabled children within the borders of Elazığ province. The sample of the study consists of 195 parents selected using a simple random method within the borders of Elazığ province. Three different scale forms were used to determine the views of the sample group: "Brief Psychological Resilience Scale", "Perceived Social Support Scale" and "Parent Attitude Scale towards Physical Education Lesson". Firstly, demographic information was obtained from the parents of children with disabilities in the variables of "gender, income status, whether the child does sports or not, number of children with disabilities, age, education level, degree of disability, total number of children". Then, data were obtained for the Brief Psychological Resilience Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, Parent Attitude Scale towards Physical Education Course. The SPSS 24.0 package program was used to analyze the data. Normality analysis was performed on the data obtained, the results showed normal distribution and it was decided to conduct parametric tests. In the evaluation of the data, descriptive statistical methods, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used. "Independent Sample t Test" and "One-Way Analysis of Variance" were applied to reveal the differences between dependent and independent variables. "Pearson Correlation Analysis" was used to determine the relationships between the psychological resilience, social support and attitudes towards physical education class of parents with disabled children. The significance level was accepted as p<0.05 in the statistical analysis. According to the results of the analysis, it was determined that there was a significant difference in the variables of gender, income status, age, education level, degree of disability of the child and total number of children in the family for the psychological resilience of parents with disabled children (p<0.05). Regarding the social support of the parents; a significant difference was determined in the variables of income status, whether the child does sports or not, the number of disabled children in the family, age, education level, the degree of disability of the child, and the total number of children in the family (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed in the variables of income status, whether the child does sports or not, number of disabled children, age, education level, degree of disability of the child and total number of children in the family (p<0.05). In the correlation analysis results, a significant difference was found in the social support scale and its sub-dimensions. A significant difference was found between the scale of parental attitude towards physical education and sports lesson and its sub-dimensions. As a result of the research, it was determined that there was a positive and weak relationship between the social support perceptions of parents with disabled children and their psychological resilience (r=0.378). It was determined that there was a negative and very weak relationship between psychological resilience and parental attitudes towards physical education class (r=-0,092). There was a positive and very weak relationship between social support levels and parental attitudes towards physical education class (r=0,080). Seminars, conferences or trainings should be organized to raise the awareness of parents and relatives of children with disabilities. Centers, sportive or social activities that will enable parents with disabled children to socialize more should be built/supported. This recommendation has positive effects on the psychological resilience levels of parents with disabled children, their perceptions of social support and their attitudes towards physical education class.