Determination of the relationship between perceived social support and depression, hopelesness levels of individual with disabiled children

The study was conducted as a descriptive study between February 15 and October 15, 2017 to determine the relationship between depression, hopelessness and perceived social support levels of individuals with disabled children. The universe of research created individuals with disabilities who were applying for outpatient or inpatient treatment on the obstetrics and gynecology hospital affiliated to the T.C. Ministry of Health, in Gaziantep. The number of samples was determined as 200 by power analysis. 205 individuals who met the study criteria were included in the study. The data of the study were collected by "Personal Information Form", "Beck Depression Scale", "Beck Hopelessness Scale" and "Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support".The total average of the scores of the parents who have participated in the research; depression 21,53±12,82, hopelessness 9,21±4,75, and perceived social support as 44,72±15,72. Individuals with high depression level had higher hopelessness levels and those with lower depression levels had lower hopelessness levels (r=0,594, p=0,000). Individuals with high levels of depression were found to have higher levels of hopelessness (r = 0.594, p = 0.000), individuals with higher hopelessness had lower levels of social support (r = -0,149, p = 0.033) (r = -0,128, p = 0,068). Parents were found to have a statistically significant relationship between depression, hopelessness and social support levels and the ability of disabled children to meet their care and to deal with children adequately (P<0.05). It was determined that individuals with a disabled child had depression and hopelessness, and did not see social support from their immediate surroundings. Increasing the social support systems of individuals with disabilities children can reduce their depression and hopelessness. Key words: Depression, Disability, Disabled child, Hopelessness, Individuals of disabled, Perceived social support