Evaluation of depression and quality of life of parents with disabled children followed up in special education centers

Aim:The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of parents' depression and quality of life on the education and treatment of disabledchildren, emphasizing the multidisciplinarytreatment of children with disabilities who are followed up in specialeducationcenters.Together with home care and treatment, the treatmentsapplied in rehabilitationcenterscontribute to the physical and mental recovery of the child.For all thesereasons, the general health status of the family that has a disabledchild and undertakestheir care is alsoimportant. Materials and Methods:The studyincluded 78 mothers 52 fathers with disabledchildren and 30 mothers and 30 fathers with healthychildren who werefollowed up in the Private Serdar Öcmenler SpecialEducation and Rehabilitation Center located in the town of Şehzadeler in Manisa.The demographicstatus, quality of life score and depressionrate information of the parentswereobtained by filling out the General Information Form, Beck DepressionInventory and World Health Organization Quality of Life Inventory Short Form. Results:In our study, the quality of life of parents with a disabledchild was low, depressionrateswere high, while the quality of life of parents with healthychildren was high and depressionrateswerelow.It was found that the gender, disability or disabilityrate of the child did not affect the quality of life and the rate of depression. Conclusion:In order to increase the quality of life of parents with disabledchildren and to decrease the rates of depression, it was concluded to improve the physical and psychological health status and strengthentheir social relations.Professional support and information is recommended in order to improve the psychosocialstatus of the parents. Key words: Parent, Disabledchild, Depression, Life quality, Special education