Determination of the level of care burden, perceived social support and life satisfaction of parents of children with multiple disabilities

This study aims to determine the level of caregiving burden, perceived social support and life satisfaction of parents of children with multiple disabilities and to examine their relationships between these levels. In this study correlational survey model, one of the quantitative research methods, was used. In the study, simple random selection was used and 166 parents having children affected by multiple disabilities, living in Ankara province, willing to participate in the study, represent the sample group of the study. Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Satisfaction with Life Scale were used to collect data. 26 packaged software were used in the analysis of the data. Parametric statistical methods were used. The study concluded that there is a moderate negative correlation which is statistically significant, between caregiving burden and satisfaction with life. The study concludes that there is a low negative correlation which is statistically significant, between the caregiving burden and the family, special person, and friend subscale scores of Perceived Social Support level. In other words, perceived social support decreases as parents' caregiving burden increases. The study concludes that there is a low positive correlation between the life satisfaction and the family, special person, and friend subscale scores of Perceived Social Support level and this correlation is statistically significant. KEYWORDS: Multiple Disabilities, Perceived Social Support, Satisfaction With Life, Caregiving Burden