Examining Perceived Social Support and Levels of Happiness in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine perceived social support and levels of happiness in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. The study group of the research consists of 30 mothers providing primary care to 30 subjects (5 girls and 25 boys) aged 7-25 attending the Armağan Dönertaş Handicapped Children Education and Rehabilitation Application and Research Centre of Trakya University, and who were in the autism spectrum disorder group according to the DSM-5 criteria. In line with the purpose of the study, the participants were asked to respond to the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, whose Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Doğan and Akıncı-Çötok (2011), and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, whose Turkish validity and reliability study was carried out by Arkar and Yaldız (2001). Based on the findings of the study, it was determined that the highest perception of social support was for Family Support. Furthermore, when evaluated in terms of standard deviations, it was determined that there was a more homogeneous distribution in this dimension compared to the others. It was seen that the distributions in the other dimensions were slightly above the mean. Considering the distribution of the happiness questionnaire, it was determined that the distribution was close to the mean. Moreover, it was determined that the minimum score was 77 and that the maximum score that could be obtained from the scale was 139, not 174. It was seen that the distribution was in the range of 62 points and remained within a limited structure. The findings of the study show that there was no significant relationship between the items of Happiness and Perceived Social Support. It is predicted that mothers’ levels of happiness will increase by benefitting from professional social support resources and services provided by social care experts.