Investigation of the relationship between the functionality of children with disabilities and the influence of parents during the COVID-19 pandemic process

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the functionality of disabled children and their parents' effects during the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 168 particapants, 84 of whom were diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), atypical autism and mild mental retardation between the ages of 4-12, and 84 mothers, were included in the study. Sociodemographic information of the mothers and children were recorded. The Pediatric Disability Assessment Inventory (PODE) was used to show the reflection of the motor development levels of children with disabilities on their functional status, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFSS) was used to evaluate the gross motor functions of children with CP. The Zarit Care Burden Scale (ZBVYS) was used for the care burden of mothers, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was used to determine the fatigue levels and the Scandinavian Musculoskeletal System Questionnaire (SMSQ) used to asses musculoskeletal disorders. The questionnaires were filled face to face by reading by the researcher. Parents participated in the children's questionnaire as well as their own. As a result of the evaluation, there was no significant linear relationship between the care burden score of the parents and the total PODE score, self-care and mobility scores of the children (p>0,05). A moderately negative correlation was found between the care burden score of the parents and the social function score of the children (r =-0.306; p <0.01). A significant linear relationship was not found between the fatigue severity score of the parents and the PODE total score, self-care, mobility and social function scores of the children (p> 0.05). No significant linear relationship was found between the care burden score of the parents and the fatigue severity score (p> 0.05). For the last 12 months, only the pain in the lumbar region of the parents prevented them from doing their usual work. It was determined that the most aching body parts of the parents who complained of musculoskeletal pain during the last 12 months were in the waist, neck, shoulder, back, and knee regions. As a result, no relationship was found between the functionality of disabled children and their parents' influences during the Covid-19 pandemic. We are of the opinion that it will be important to understand the impact on mothers in detail in the mothers responsible for the care of children with different types of disabilities during the epidemic, the personal and psychological factors affecting the mother and the factors examining the effect of the child's functionality on daily life.