The relationships between parental stress levels, ilness burden, coping and mindfulness levels of parents with disabled children

In this study, the stress levels of the parents with handicapped children, the coping styles, the burden of illness and mindfulness levels were examined. In the scope of the research, parents' sociodemographic factors (age, gender, marital status, education level, child's age, child's gender and child's diagnosis) was examined whether there were any significant differences in terms of parental stres, coping style, ilness burden and mindfulness. In addition, seek answers to the predictors (coping styles, ilness burden, mindfulness) of parental stres. The research sample consists of 274 parent with handicapped children who attend special education and rehabilitation centers in Ankara. Demographic Information Form, Mother-Father Stress Scale, Disease Burden Rating Scale, Stress Coping Scale and Toronto Mindfulness Scale forms were administered to the participants. As a result of the study, the predictors of parental stress related to coping variables; self-confident approach, helpless approach and submissive approach. Predictors of parental stress related to burden variables; restriction of daily life, anxiety about patient and occupational distruption. The results indicated these predictors explained %41 of the variance for parental stres. However, mindfulness variable has no statistically significant role in explaining parental stress. The findings and implications were discussed in the frame of the literature.