OTİZMLİ ÇOCUKLARIN EBEVEYNLERİNDE PSİKOLOJİK DAYANIKLILIK, OKUPASYONEL KATILIM, YETERLİLİK VE DENGENİN İNCELENMESİ

Abstract

Kellecioğlu, A.G., Investigation of Psychological Resilience, Occupational Participation, Competence, and Balance in Parents of Children with Autism, Hacettepe University Health Sciences Graduate School Occupational Therapy Program Master's Thesis, Ankara, 2026. This research aimed to examine the occupational balance, participation, and psychological resilience in parents of children with autism. The study included 56 parent dyads (total n=112) of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ11-T), Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST), Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA), and Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA). Results showed no significant differences in total scores of occupational balance, competence, and resilience between genders (p>0.05). However, in MOHOST subscales, mothers scored significantly higher in Volition (p=0.047), Habituation (p=0.002), and Environment (p=0.035) than fathers. Total MOHOST scores were significantly higher in favor of mothers (Med: 63.5) than fathers (Med: 60.0) (p=0.004). OSA data revealed that while responsibility competence was high in both groups, mothers scored significantly lower in personal occupations like self-care and leisure (p<0.05). A positive, moderate correlation was found between fathers' resilience and mothers' occupational participation (rho=0.305; p=0.022). Significant positive correlations also existed between mothers' occupational balance and their resilience (rho=0.287) and competence perceptions (rho=0.402). In conclusion, although mothers have higher occupational participation levels, they experience significant restrictions in personal occupations; as fathers' psychological resilience increases, mothers' occupational participation also increases, and fathers' psychological resilience shows a significant positive correlation with mothers' participation process. Based on these findings, developing family-based occupational therapy strategies aimed at increasing fathers' resilience to balance the maternal occupational burden are recommended.