The Relationship Between Anxiety Levels and Spousal Support Among Mothers of Children with Special Needs

This study examined the relationship between perceived spousal support and anxiety levels among mothers of children with special needs, with the aim of informing family-centered support practices. The study employed a correlational survey design and included mothers of children attending special education and rehabilitation centers on the European side of Istanbul. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Spousal Support Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, independent-samples t tests, and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. A negative but statistically nonsignificant relationship was found between perceived spousal support and anxiety levels. Mothers’ anxiety levels did not differ significantly according to their education level but differed significantly according to the gender of the child with special needs. The findings suggest that maternal anxiety cannot be explained solely by perceived spousal support and highlight the importance of comprehensive interventions addressing family circumstances, social support, and the broader cultural context.