Social Support and Perceived Stress among Parents of Children with Special Needs in Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Abstract

Stress is a prevalent emotional strain experienced by parents in response to the inherent challenges of child-rearing. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the levels of social support and perceived stress among parents of children with special needs undergoing pediatric rehabilitation. This study utilized a quantitative descriptive survey methodology with the aid of the Turkish Adaptation of the Family Needs Survey (FNS) and the Parental Stress Scale (PSS). A total of 50 participants were enrolled through convenience sampling. Statistical analysis of the gathered data revealed notable demographic characteristics among respondents, with a predominant representation of individuals aged 41-50, female, married, and with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) undergoing occupational and speech therapy. The findings indicated a moderate level of support from various sources, including family and friends, educational institutions, community services, and financial and government assistance. However, the evaluation did not reveal a statistically significant difference between the extent of social support received by parents and the perceived stress they reported experiencing.