Psychological Symptoms, Caregiving Burden, and Perceived Social Support Among Parents of Individuals Receiving Special Education Services

This study examined psychological symptoms among parents of individuals receiving special education services and evaluated the predictive roles of caregiving burden and perceived social support. A quantitative correlational survey design was used. The sample consisted of 214 parents whose children were receiving support from special education and rehabilitation centers in Istanbul. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, the Zarit Burden Interview, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 was used for descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, independent samples t-tests, and multiple regression analysis. The findings indicated moderate levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among parents. Caregiving burden was positively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas perceived social support was negatively associated with psychological symptoms. Mothers reported significantly higher anxiety scores than fathers. Regression findings showed that caregiving burden positively predicted psychological symptoms, whereas perceived social support negatively predicted them; together, these predictors explained 42% of the variance. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating psychosocial counseling, parent support groups, psychoeducation, and community-based support mechanisms into special education services in order to protect parental mental health and strengthen family functioning.