Abstract:

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the functional independence and gross motor function levels of physically disabled children and the psychological status of their parents. Material and Method: Eighty-three volunteer parents and their physically disabled children were included in this study. The functional independence and gross motor function levels of physically disabled children were assessed by Functional Independence Measure for Children and Gross Motor Functional Classification System; anxiety and depression levels of parents were assessed by Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory. Results: No significant correlation was found between Functional Independence Measure for Children, Gross Motor Functional Classification System scores of physically disabled children and the age of the parents and Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory scores of the parents (r=0.029, p=0.795; r=0.108, p=0.332; r=-0.014, p=0.896; r=-0.091, p=0.411, r=-0.017, p=0.880; r=0.010, p=0.926 respectively). However, a low positive correlation was found between the age of disability and the parents' Beck Anxiety Inventory scores (r=0.297, p=0.006, respectively). Also, significant difference was found between the anxiety and depression levels of the parents who had children who could walk and could not walk with or without support (p=0.021, p=0.032, respectively). Conclusion: It was concluded that parents who have a physically disabled child have an increased anxiety level as the age of the child's disability increases. Also, it was observed that parents who had children who could not walk had higher levels of anxiety and depression as compared to parents who had children who could walk.

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