Abstract:

The aim of this study is to investigate the problem solving skills and life satisfaction of parents having children with mentalretardation. The research was designed in a correlational survey method The sample of the study consisted of the parents having 138 children having mentally handicapped at Special Education Vocational Training and Special Education Practice School in province of Erzincan. The data was collected through Personal Information Form, The Satisfaction with Life Scale and Problem Solving Scale for adults. In the analysis process, when the normality assumptions are provided, parametric tests like Pearson Correlation Analysis, Independent Sample t Test and Regression Analysis. Have been used, otherwise nonparametric tests like Kruskal Wallis H and Mann Whitney U Test have been used. When the results of the study have been evaluated, it has been determined that there is a positive and significant relationship between life satisfaction of parents having children with mental retardation and problem solving skills. However; life satisfaction and problem solving skills of parents having children with mental retardation become different according to gender, diagnosis of their children and how long their children have had special education. It has been detected that there is no relationship between some variables such as age, educational status, the child with multiple disabilities and their life satisfaction, also their problem solving skills. Inaddition, problem solving skills, special education period and diagnosis of their children are significant predictors of life satisfaction of parents having children with mental retardation.

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