Investigation of psychological resilience, depression levels and attitudes of parents with special needs children towards seeking psychological help

This study aims to examine the psychological resilience, depression levels, and attitudes toward seeking psychological help of parents with children with special needs. The research investigates whether the depression levels, psychological resilience levels, and attitudes toward seeking psychological help of parents with special needs differ significantly based on demographic characteristics and other factors. The study is designed as a correlational survey model. The sample consists of 293 parents with children attending Çorum Özel Eğitim ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi and Çorum Ulu Çınar Özel Eğitim ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, Beck Depression Scale, Resilience Scale for Adults, and Attitude Toward Seeking Psychological Help Scale-Short Form. Parents already receiving psychological support and using psychiatric medication were excluded from the study to avoid influencing the research results. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 statistical software. According to the research findings, parents of children with special needs show a negative moderate relationship between depression levels and psychological resilience, a negative weak relationship between parents' depression levels and attitudes toward seeking psychological help, and a positive weak relationship between parents' psychological resilience and attitudes toward seeking psychological help. The study concludes that parents' psychological resilience, depression levels, and attitudes toward seeking psychological help significantly differ based on age, employment status, perceived economic level, and education level. Additionally, it is observed that the support services received by parents positively influence their attitudes toward seeking psychological help.