ZİHİNSEL ENGELLİ ÇOCUĞA SAHİP ANNELERİN İYİ OLUŞLARININ BAŞA ÇIKMA TARZLARI, AİLE GEREKSİNİMLERİ VE SOSYAL DESTEK DEĞİŞKENLERİYLE MODELLENMESİ.

The purpose of this study was to develop a structural equation model explaining the well-being of mothers with mentally retarded children by ways of coping, family needs and perceived social support variables. The sample of the study composed of mothers with mentally retarded children aged 15 to 25 living in İzmir. The data of the study was collected through Psychological Well-Being Scale, Ways of Coping, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Family Needs Survey. The analysis of the structural equation model revealed that problem focused coping and perceived social support were positively related to psychological well-being whereas emotion focused coping and family needs were negatively related. Additionally, perceived social support was found to have a mediating role in the relationships between psychological well-being and problem focused coping and family needs. The findings were discussed in light of the literature and some suggestions were presented for both practitioners and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]