Comparison and examination of the death anxiety of parents with and without having mental retarded children

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to have children with and without mental retardation (MR) (diagnosed with MR), it is to compare and examine parents' death anxiety. Materials and Methods: The research is based on the screening model. The sample group of the study consists of 120 people in total, consisting of parents (n = 60) of children who are followed up in a private counseling and research center due to the presence of intellectual disability, and parents with typically developed children (n = 60) as the comparison group. Sociodemographic information of the participants, who could be included in the study on a voluntary basis, was filled in by the researcher using face to face interview method using the Sociodemographic Information Form, and their death anxiety levels were evaluated with the Multidimensional Evaluation Inventory for Death and Dying. In comparing the quantitative data of the study, the t test, which is the two independent variable tests, was used to analyze the difference between the two parametric groups. The relationship between the scales was tested with Pearson Correlation analysis. Multiple linear regression was used to see the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. Results: As a result of the research findings, it was found that there are statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between the scores of the compared groups. Death anxiety of parents with mentally retarded children was found to be higher than parents of typically developed children. Conclusion: This research is important in terms of providing the opportunity for cross cultural comparison and contributing to the policies to be developed on the subject..