Comparison of coping strategies of mothers having a child with physical or intellectual disability

The aim of the study is to compare the methods of coping with stress of mothers with mentally handicapped and physically handicapped children living in Eyüp Sultan district of Istanbul. In this context, the mother of 88 mentally handicapped children and the mother of 82 physically handicapped children, who are 1-22 years old, are continuing their education in two rehabilitation centers in the Eyüp Sultan region of Istanbul. In this study, the methods of coping with stress of mothers with mentally disabled or physically disabled children were compared according to the child's disability type (mental / physical). The universe of the study is Onuray Doğanay Special Education and Rehabilitation Center and Private Akar Yeşilırmak Special Education and Rehabilitation Center and Private mothers of individuals with mental disabilities and physical disabilities who are under special education. In this context, the mother of 97 mentally disabled individuals and the mother of 114 physical individuals were given oral and written information individually and face to face, and the participant mother was asked to fill in the personal information form and the methods of coping with stress. The sample of the study is Onuray Doğanay Special Education and Rehabilitation Center and Private Akar Yeşilırmak Special Education and Rehabilitation Center, selected by using the simple random sampling method, calculated with a 95% confidence interval of 5% error margin, and mothers of 211 mentally handicapped and physically disabled individuals. SPSS. 15 of the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science) program to evaluate the data. version is used. According to the findings obtained in the study, it was observed that the level of coping with stress was significantly different in terms of age, working status, number of children, social security, being relatives with spouse, age of disabled child and social support variables among the sociodemographic variables. Findings indicated that being at an advanced age, not working, having lower income level, having 3 or more children, lack of social security, being relatives with the spouse, having a disabled child between the ages of 13-22, having lower family support is associated that they have the ability to cope with stress at a lower level. In addition, it was found that there was no significant difference in the dimensions of coping with stress for mothers with children with mental and physical disabilities. Findings obtained in the study show that there are variables related to having socio-demographic and disabled children, which may negatively affect the coping levels of mothers. Based on the findings, it is thought that the study can be repeated. Keywords: Disability, Parental Stress, Parenting