EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNET ADDICTION AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (PARENTAL ASSESSMENT)

The aim of this research is to examine the relationship between internet addiction and aggressive behaviors among individuals with special needs attending special education in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and to determine whether this relationship varies according to various variables. A correlational survey model was employed in the study. The parents (either mother or father) of 239 individuals with special needs who were enrolled in special education schools and institutions during the 2022-2023 academic year participated in the research. With the necessary permissions obtained from the institutions, the parents who voluntarily agreed to participate were administered a “Socio-Demographic Information Form”, “Parent-Child Internet Addiction Scale” and “Aggression Scale for Children Parent Form”. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 26.0 software was used for the statistical analysis of the collected research data. Results of the study showed that internet addiction levels of individuals with special needs were low based on the total scores of the Parent-Child Internet Addiction Scale, but the Difficulty in Control subscale of the scale was found to be high. The total scores of the Aggression Scale for Children Parent Form were found to be average, while the scores of the Verbal Aggression subscale of the scale were high. Significant correlations were found between the Parent-Child Internet Addiction Scale and the Aggression Scale for Children Parent Form and its subscales. It was also found that the Withdrawal subscale scores of the Parent-Child Internet Addiction Scale predicted the scores of the Aggression Scale for Children Parent Form. The results of the study are considered significant for professionals in the field of special education, as well as for families and researchers. It is believed that this research could provide guidance for future studies in the field.