INTOLERANCE OF UNCERTAINTY LEVELS IN FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS DURING COVID-19 PROCESS

The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of intolerance of uncertainty among families of children with special needs during the Covid-19 pandemic, with respect to various factors. The study utilized a relational survey model and included 250 families of children with special needs who participated in the research during the Fall academic year of 2020-2021. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic's unavoidable circumstances, data were collected electronically via Google Forms. To gather the data, a "Demographic Information Form" and an "Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale" were administered. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 software. The results indicated that families of children with special needs had a higher level of intolerance of uncertainty, as indicated by the scale's overall scores and the prospective anxiety sub-dimension(p>0.05). The study further revealed that the families' income level and whether one of their relatives had Covid-19 significantly impacted their intolerance of uncertainty levels(p>0.05). However, there were no significant differences based on the families' age, gender, marital status, Covid-19 status, loss of a loved one due to Covid-19, chronic illness, or job loss during the pandemic(p>0.05).Based on studies examining the intolerance of families of children with special needs to uncertainty, efforts can be made to provide psychological support to families of children with special needs.Seminars can be organized for families of children with special needs by institution managers or special education teachers.