Examining the participation of families with children with special needs in recreational activities

This study aimed to examine the participation of families with children with special needs in recreational activities and to contribute to the literature. The research is a descriptive research in survey model, created in quantitative method. The population of the research consists of families with children with special needs living in Isparta. The sample of the research includes a total of 156 parents, 120 mothers and 36 fathers, who constitute the population and agreed to participate in the research voluntarily. As data collection tools, the sociodemographic data form and the motivation scale for participation in recreation activities developed by Gözen were used. The data of the research was obtained by administering a face-to-face survey to the families forming the sample. The data obtained during the study process was analyzed with the SPSS program. During the analysis process, firstly percentage (%) and frequency (f) distributions were examined. As a result of the normality test, it was determined that the data was normally distributed, with the skewness-kurtosis values being distributed between -1.5 and + 1.5, and parametric tests were used. In the analysis of the scores obtained as a result of the application of the scales, Independent T test was used to compare two groups, and Anova test was used to compare more than two groups. In the findings showing a significant difference as a result of the Anova test, Post Hoc LSD analysis was applied to understand which groups the difference was between, and it was indicated by the lettering method. In this study, which was conducted to examine the participation of families with children with special needs in recreational activities, fathers were found to have a higher tendency to challenge difficulties and take risks compared to mothers (p<0.05). Parents' age did not affect their participation in recreational activities (p>0.05). Families with higher education levels have higher scores in the sub-dimensions of success orientation, challenging difficulties, risk taking and innovation (p<0.05). It was determined that the number of children a family had had no effect on their participation in recreational activities (p>0.05). No difference was found between the participation of families with good economic income in recreational activities compared to families with poorer economic income (p>0.05). It was determined that the families of children with mild special needs were more success-oriented than the families of children with moderate levels (p<0.05). Single parents' challenge levels were found to be higher than married parents (p<0.05). In conclusion; It has been concluded that education levels and the child's special needs level are effective in the participation of families with children with special needs in recreational activities.