Social support perceptions of families with children with disabilities: Case of Turkey

This preliminary study analyzes the perceptions of social support among Turkish families with children with disabilities and explores the feelings upon receiving the diagnosis in a non-Western setting in the Aegean region of Turkey. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 84 families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings reveal diverse perceptions of social support. Despite low income, parents prioritize moral and psychological support over monetary aid. They call for improved disability rights and job opportunities for people with disabilities, especially for autistic children, through local authorities. The literature shows a shift toward family resilience, yet individual parental resilience predominated in this study. The results identify a gap between theory and practice in the Aegean region, where low education, income, and cultural factors may hinder the formation of a “resilient family system,” which leaves the burden on the individual parent.