The relationship between social support perceptions and marital satisfaction of parents of children with special needs and parents of children with normal development

In this study, importance was given to better understanding the problems experienced by children with mental and physical disabilities and their parents. It is thought that this study will support children with special needs and their parents. It is aimed to help understand children with special needs and their parents. Therefore, it is considered important for parents who have children with mental disabilities or physical disabilities and children with mental disabilities to lead a happy life. Marital satisfaction is defined as "the opinion about the level of satisfaction of one's needs in one's marital relationship". Marital satisfaction is important for parents with physical or mental children. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the perceptions of social support and marital satisfaction of parents of children with special needs and parents of children with normal development. 163 women and 93 men participated in this study. The sample of the study consisted of 118 parents of children with normal development and 138 parents of children with special needs, totaling 256 people. Among those with children with special needs, 44 had children with intellectual disabilities, 48 had children with physical disabilities and 46 had children diagnosed with autism. While it was determined that the participants MSS (Marital Satisfaction Scale) and MPSSS (Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale) scores did not show statistically significant differences according to their professions, income levels, number of children, and duration of marriage, there were significant differences according to gender, age, educational status, child and their children's diagnosis has been determined. However, it was determined that there was no significant relationship between MSS and MPSSS scores. This study supports the institution of family and marriage, which is important for the welfare of society. This study aims to benefit similar studies on marital satisfaction of parents with mentally or physically disabled children.