An Examination of the Relations among Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Life Satisfaction in Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to demonstrate the relationship among social support, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction perceived by parents of children who have developmental disabilities in early childhood (0-6 years) and present the variables of this relationship that may be predictors. The study group consisted of 225 parents of children diagnosed with developmental disabilities during the early years. A total of 225 participants were included in the study, 139 mothers and 86 fathers. A “Personal Data Form” was created by the researchers, and used to obtain personal data from the children with developmental disabilities and their parents involved in this research. The Revised Parental Social Support Scale/RPSSS was used to assess the levels of social support received by the parents. The Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale-Turkish Version/PSES-TV was used to evaluate parents’ perceptions of self-efficacy. Finally, the Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS) was used to assess parents’ levels of life satisfaction. Results revealed a weak but significant relation between parents’ perceptions of levels of social support and levels of income. Also, perceived parenting self-efficacy varied by the types of diagnosis of their children. However, it was concluded that there was a strong and significant relation between parenting self-efficacy and social support variables, and parents’ life satisfaction levels. Both variables appeared to explain a significant part of the total variance in life satisfaction. The result of the analyses suggested that both variables were significant predictors of life satisfaction. Findings are discussed.