Determination of the psychological well-being and social support levels of fathers of children with disabilities

The study was conducted as a descriptive type in order to determine the psychological well-being and social support levels of fathers of disabled children. The study was conducted with 336 fathers in special education and rehabilitation centers in the city center of Trabzon between May 2023 and September 2024. The data were collected via face-to-face interview technique using the Introductory Information Form of Parents and Children, Psychological Well-being Scale-PIOS and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support-MSPSS. Frequency, standard deviation, mean, minimum-maximum values, percentage, Independent Groups t Test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Analysis, Regression Analysis were used in the evaluation of the data. In the study, the total mean score of the psychological well-being scale of fathers with disabled children was determined as 41.04±10.07, and it was determined that the psychological well-being levels of fathers were above average. The sub-dimension scores of the multidimensional perceived social support scale of fathers with disabled children were found to be 22.84±5.88 for family, 19.83±7.19 for friend, 18.68±7.67 for special person and 61.36±17.31 for total scale score. A significant difference was found between the income status of fathers with disabled children and the age group of the child and the total mean scores of psychological well-being (p<0.05). A significant difference was found between the age group, education level, occupation of the father's spouse, perceived income status, number of children, spousal support, the age group of the child and the child's disability level and the total mean scores of the multidimensional perceived social support scale (p<0.05). A statistically significant, positive and moderate relationship was found between the total score of the psychological well-being scale and the sub-dimensions and total scores of the multidimensional perceived social support scale, family, friend and special person. It was determined that the social support variable statistically significantly predicted psychological well-being scores. As a result, it was found that there was a direct relationship between fathers' psychological well-being levels and their perceived social support levels, and as fathers' social support levels increased, their psychological well-being levels increased.