Investigation of internalized stigma perception, perceived socialsupport and family functioning in the families of children withneurodevelopmental disorder

The aim of our study is to evaluate the parents of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability/Developmental Delay and healthy children in terms of internalized stigma, perception of social support, and family functionality, and to draw attention to the importance of planning social support programs for families with low social support and stigma. For this purpose, the Sociodemographic Data Form, Parents' Internalized Stigma in Mental Illness Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, Family Rating Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were given to the parents of 41 ADHD, 44 ASD, 40 ID/DD, 38 healthy children. In our study, it was determined that parents of children in the ASD group and those receiving special education were more stigmatized, low income level, low social support perception, low family functionality, psychosocial problems of children increased stigma in parents of ID/DD group, and social support and family functionality were lower in parents of diagnosed children. It has been shown that high income in the ADHD group is associated with high perception of social support, and this is associated with higher family functionality. In addition, it has been shown that psychosocial problems in the ASD group impair the perception of social support, and divorce impairs family functionality. As a result, it has been shown that families of children with ASD feel more stigmatized, social support may be protective against stigma and low family functionality, psychosocial problems and low income pose a risk for stigma, parents of children with ASD who receive special education feel more stigmatized, psychosocial problems and low income negatively affects social support.