Raising a child with a disability presents unique challenges for mothers, often impacting their daily routines, emotional well-being, and overall outlook. A study explores how spiritual coping styles can influence hope levels in these mothers.
The Strength of Mothers: Facing Challenges After Childbirth
The birth of a child, especially one with a disability, can significantly change family life:
- New Routines: Daily routines require adjustments and adaptations to address the child’s specific needs.
- Emotional Impact: Mothers may experience a range of emotions, including grief, worry, and uncertainty about the future.
Hope and Spiritual Coping: A Path to Resilience
This study in eastern Turkey investigated a crucial factor for mothers of disabled children:
- Spiritual Coping: The study examined how mothers’ spiritual beliefs and practices help them cope with the challenges they face.
- Hope Levels: Researchers assessed the mothers’ overall sense of hope for the future.
The Study: Mothers and Their Children
Researchers conducted the study between January and April 2022, involving mothers whose children attended a rehabilitation center:
- Target Population: The study aimed to include 110 mothers of children enrolled in the center.
- Sample: A total of 102 mothers agreed to participate in the study.
- Data Collection: Researchers used surveys to gather information about the mothers’ demographics, spiritual coping styles, and hope levels.
Factors Affecting Spiritual Coping
The study identified factors that influence mothers’ spiritual coping:
- Stronger Coping for Certain Situations: Mothers who had a daughter with a disability, no other disabled children, received state support for care, didn’t neglect other children due to the disabled child, and didn’t feel guilty exhibited higher spiritual coping scores.
- Finding Strength in Faith: Mothers with children with physical or hearing disabilities, a lower education level, a lower socioeconomic status, and access to psychological support demonstrated higher spiritual coping scores.
Hope: A Beacon of Light
The study revealed a crucial link between spiritual coping and hope:
- Hope and Coping Go Hand in Hand: Mothers with higher spiritual coping scores tended to have higher levels of hope for the future.
Building Resilience: Empowering Mothers
Based on the findings, the study recommends:
- Support Programs: Developing programs to help mothers accept their child’s condition and effectively cope with their situation.
- Focus on Acceptance: These programs could focus on strategies to foster acceptance, reduce guilt, and navigate challenges with a sense of hope.
A Path Forward: Supporting Mothers for Stronger Families
By recognizing the importance of spiritual coping, this study paves the way for better support systems for mothers raising children with disabilities. By bolstering hope and resilience, we can empower these mothers to navigate challenges and build stronger families.
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