Relationships Between Family Sense of Coherence, Coping and Role Performance in Parents of Children with Disabilities: Structural Equation Modeling

This descriptive study was designed with a clear focus: to use structural equation modeling to determine the intricate relationships between family sense of coherence, coping, and role performance in parents of children with disabilities. The study was conducted with a sample of 185 parents of children receiving special education at the primary school level in a province in Türkiye. Data was collected using a parent introduction form, the Family Sense of Coherence Scale-short form (FSOC-S), the Family Role Performance (FRP) scale, and the Revised-COPE Scale (R-COPE). The effect of FSOC-S on FRP and R-COPE was statistically significant. The effect of FRP on R-COPE was statistically significant. Moreover, FSOC-S predicted 22.4% of FRP, while FSOC-S and FRP predicted 17.1% of R-COPE. The study’s findings underscore the urgent need for interventions to improve the family’s sense of coherence and positive coping attitudes. These interventions are crucial for parents to effectively manage the challenges they face while caring for a child with a disability. The study also highlights the significant role of positive coping attitudes and family sense of coherence in enhancing role performance in parents of children with disabilities.