Comparison of perceived stress levels, psychological resilience and family life satisfaction of parents of children with special needs and parents of typically developing children

The purpose of this study was to examine perceived stress levels, psychological resilience, and family life satisfaction by comparing parents of children with special needs with those of typically developing children. The study aims to fill the gap in the field by comparatively examining the psychosocial characteristics of parents. Participants in the study consisted of 200 parents of children aged 3–12. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Brief Resilience Scale, and the Family Life Satisfaction Scale. The findings showed that parents with special needs had higher stress levels and lower coping skills. However, psychological resilience played a significant role in reducing stress and increasing family life satisfaction in both groups. Furthermore, parents with special needs were found to have higher levels of education and longer marriage duration. Income level was found to have a significant effect on stress in the special needs group. Study Limitations: The research sample was limited to parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and mental retardation between the ages of 3 and 12, attending special education and rehabilitation centers in the Mersin city center, as well as parents of typically developing children. It would be advisable to include parents of different ages and diagnosis groups to increase the generalizability of the study and conduct the study with a larger number of participants. The vast majority of the parents participating in the study were mothers. Supportive practices that would also include fathers could be developed. In conclusion, caring for children with special needs can significantly impact the psychological well-being of parents. It has become clear that parents caring for individuals with special needs should be considered not only individually but also within the framework of their familial and social support systems. In this context, psychoeducation programs, social support mechanisms, and family counseling services that will enhance stress-coping skills are crucial.