Examining the relationships between depression and anxiety levels of parents who have children with special needs

This research aims to examine the relationships between depression and anxiety levels of parents with children with special needs.The research aims to select a random sample from mothers of children with special needs registered in various special education and rehabilitation centers by collaborating with them. It is frequently emphasized in the literature that the psychological health status of mothers, especially mothers, among parents of children with special needs may be more affected. Within the scope of the study, mothers' anxiety and depression levels were evaluated using the Beck Anxiety Scale and Beck Depression Scale, and the findings were examined in the context of gender differences. Research results show that depression and anxiety levels of mothers with children with special needs are generally high, and this may be related to factors such as parenting burdens, perceptions of the child's developmental difficulties, and lack of social support. The study found that male participants' anxiety levels were more consistent but higher. This finding suggests that the psychological pressure experienced by mothers involves different dynamics. These negative effects on the mental health of mothers with children with special needs reveal the need to develop more comprehensive psychosocial support programs. Creating individual and family-based intervention programs for parents is considered an important step towards improving the quality of life, especially of mothers. These findings show that family dynamics should be considered from a broader perspective and holistic approaches should be adopted in health services. Key Words: Parentes of Children with Special Needs, Depression, Anxiety, Levels.