Abstract:

The experience of raising a child with special needs causes parents to experience situations such as stress, anxiety, depression and burnout. The aim of this research is to reveal the feelings, thoughts and expectations of family members who have an adult disabled child. This study is important in terms of improving the services in the field of disability and revealing the deficiencies in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Qualitative research method was adopted in the study, and in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 14 parents of 9 disabled individuals through the semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers. Qualitative research method was adopted in the research and in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 parents of 9 disabled individuals through the semi-structured interview form prepared by the researcher. The MAXQDA 12 program was used in the analysis of the data. As a result of the analysis, the themes of meeting the self-care needs of the disabled person, the experience of raising a disabled child and opinions about the future were reached. As a result of the research, it has been determined that the most responsibility for the care and upbringing of the child in families with adult disabled children is on the mothers. In addition, it has been revealed that mothers and fathers have different experiences from the moment they learn that their children are disabled. In the study, it was determined that the most important concerns of the parents about the future were about the living conditions of their children if they were left alone. On the other hand, it is revealed that the uncertainty in the legal regulations and services related to disability in the country increases the hopelessness of families about the future.

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