Investigation of physical activity level and quality of life in parents of children with various disabilities

Investıgatıon of physical activity levels and quality of life in parents of children with various disabilities. This study was conducted to investigate the differences between the parents of children with various disabilities' physical activity levels and quality of life. There were 156 participants in the study. Participants were divided into four equal groups of 39 participants in each group. The groups were: Autism (A), Down Syndrome (DS), Cerebral Palsy (CP), and Spina Bifida (SB). To assess physical activity levels, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used, and for the assessment of the quality of life, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36.) was used. Statistical analysis showed that there is no sıgnıfıcant difference in physical activity levels among parents of children with various disabilities (p>0.05). However, a statistically significant difference exists between the parents of children with various types of disabilities (A, DS, CP, SB) in quality of life. There are statistically significant differences in six out of eight domains that are included in the SF-36 questionnaire. The difference is between the parents of children with Down Syndrome and parents of children with Spina Bifida. Parents of children with Down Syndrome scored significantly better in Physical Role, Vitality, Mental Health, Social Functioning, Pain, and General Health. Parents of children with Spina Bifida also scored lower statistically significant scores than parents of children with Cerebral Palsy, in the domains of Physical Functioning, Pain, and General Health. The Spina Bifida group also reported statistically significantly lower scores than the Autism group in Physical Role. In conclusion, parents of children with Down Syndrome achieved significantly higher scores in six out of eight SF-36 questionnaire domains in comparison to Spina Bifida this is important because it shows that parents of children with Spina Bifida may need more medical professional support and care.