Analysis of the relationship between the depression levels and perceived social support of parents who have children with specific learning difficulty

The purpose of this research; to investigate the perceived social support and depression levels of parents with special learning difficulties in terms of some demographic variables and to determine whether the social support perception predicts the level of depression. For this purpose, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, Beck Depression Scale and Demographic Information Form for demographic information related to parents were used for the parents of children who were diagnosed as having special learning difficulties in the research. In the study, a relational screening model was used to determine the presence and / or extent of interchange between two or more variables. 175 volunteer parents who have a child with a special learning disability who continue to study and rehabilitate centers and guidance and research centers with the parents of children aged between 6 and 18 who are aware of the special learning difficulty living in the universe of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality formed. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) package program. According to the study findings; the level of social support perceived by the parents' gender, educational status, level of income and the number of children they have; there was a significant difference between levels of depression according to income level and education level. It was also found that parents had a negative and significant relationship between perceived social support and depression levels and that social support levels predicted depression levels by 11%. Key Words: Specific Learning Disability, Perceived Social Support, Depression