PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN WARTIME CONDITIONS

Abstract

The article presents the results of an empirical study and theoretical justification of the impact of psychological support for parents of children with Down syndrome aged 2-8 years. The study aims to reduce levels of anxiety and depression in parents and to highlight the effectiveness of online psychological support groups for parents of children with Down syndrome through a mental health enhancement program. The study utilized online support groups within the framework of the «Family Energy—Child's Future» project. A total of 22 participants took part in the study, all of whom were mothers of children with Down syndrome aged between 25 and 45 years.

Experimental methods such as observation, conversations, surveys, analysis of activity products, and interviews were used in the study. Psychological diagnostics were conducted using the PHQ-9 depression scale and the GAD-7 generalized anxiety questionnaire. The support program included six stages: 1) initiation; 2) primary diagnostics; 3) corrective-supportive stage; 4) secondary diagnostics; 5) integration stage; 6) concluding conversation. The program lasted five months, with a consistent duration of 40 academic hours of meetings, held once a week for 90 minutes.

The results showed that after the experiment, the mean depression scores on the PHQ-9 scale decreased from 9.69 to 8.62, and the anxiety scores on the GAD-7 scale decreased from 8.62 to 6.46. However, the significance of changes according to the Wilcoxon test was insufficient (p > 0.05), indicating that the changes are not statistically significant. Similar results were observed in the control group, which did not participate in the psychological support group. In this group, the level of depression on the PHQ-9 scale decreased from 8.67 to 6.56, and the level of anxiety on the GAD-7 scale decreased from 6.56 to 4.44. However, as in the experimental group, these changes did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05).

Comparing depression and anxiety indicators between the experimental and control groups after the completion of the experiment, although both groups showed a decrease in mean values for both depression and anxiety, no statistically significant differences between the groups were found (p > 0.05). These results indicate that while both groups experienced some reduction in levels of depression and anxiety, the changes were not pronounced enough to achieve statistical significance.

The psychological support program «Sunny Circle» demonstrated potential in reducing anxiety among parents of children with Down syndrome, although these changes did not reach statistical significance. The level of depression remained without significant changes, which may indicate a lesser impact of the program on depressive symptoms or the need for additional components. Comparison with the control group suggests that the reduction in anxiety may partially result from the program. Further research with a larger sample is needed to confirm the effectiveness of «Sunny Circle» and to enhance it. The program has the potential to become an important support tool; however, additional elements need to be included to improve its impact on depression.