Podporna skupina za starše otrok z motnjami v duševnem razvoju v Centru Janeza Levca OVI Jarše ; Support group for parents of mentaly challenged children and adolescents

Vloga in vpliv podpornih skupin dobiva v zadnjih letih vse večji pomen. Razumevanje, kako spremembe, ki jih prinese skupina, vplivajo na življenje člana, je potrebno za načrtovanje novih in izboljšanje že obstoječih sistemov podpore, namenjenih socialno ranljivim skupinam v družbi. Ena izmed socialno ranljivih skupin so vsekakor starši otrok s posebnimi potrebami. Raziskave so pokazale, da so družine otrok s posebnimi potrebami bolj izpostavljene stresu in bolj pogosto se pri starših kažejo znaki depresije in anksioznosti (Barnett, Clements,Kaplan-Estrih in Fialka, 2003 ; Smith in Grzywacz, 1014). Dobra socialna mreža, ki temelji na čustveni, praktični in družabni podpori ter nudi potrebne informacije, je v veliki meri povezana s fizičnim in mentalnim zdravjem ter osebnim občutkom blaginje (Hammarberg, Sartore, Cann in Fisher, 2014 ; Darling, Senatore in Strachan, 2011). Raziskava temelji na stališčih 20 staršev, ki obiskujejo podporno skupino na CJL OVI Jarše. Člani so ocenjevali zadovoljstvo s skupino, osebni občutek blaginje ter izrazili svoja stališča glede vpliva skupine na različna področja njihovega življenja. Raziskali smo tudi njihove potrebe v prihodnosti. Analiza je pokazala, da so člani zelo zadovoljni s skupino. Večina članov je zelo dobro ocenila zadovoljstvo z lastnim življenjem. Skupina je prispevala k pozitivnim spremembam v njihovem življenju in življenju članov njihove družine. Kot pomembne dejavnike za vključevanje in vztrajanje v skupini navajajo druženje, čustveno podporo, univerzalnost in izkustveno znanje. Določena spoznanja nam omogočajo načrtovanje nadaljnjih raziskav ter uporabo znanj v praksi. ; As the role and the influence of support groups on its members health continues to evolve, understanding how the changes, impact the members’ life is necessary. The knowledge is needed to plan new and to improve already existing supporting systems for socially deprived people. One of the socially deprived groups of people is certainly parents and caregivers of children with disabilities. Caring for a child with special needs pose stressors upon the family and parents are more likely to show signs of depression and anxiety (Barnett et al., 2003 ; Smith and Grzywacz, 1014). Quality social network which stands on emotional, practical and companion support and offers information much needed is strongly associated with good health. Both physical and mental (Hammarberg et al.,2014 ; Darling et al.,2011) . A survey involved 20 parents of children with disabilities, who are currently members of support group In CJL Ljubljana, Jarše. Members were asked to rate their satisfaction with the group, overall happiness with their life and express their opinion on how did the group influence different segments of their life and life of its family members. Survey also took interest in their needs in future. Analyse indicates that members are very satisfied with the group. Most of the members valued their satisfaction with its life as very satisfying. The group helped improving members’ life and also had influence on family members. As essential element for joining and continuing to be a member of a support group members state socializing, support, universality and experiential knowledge. These findings provide implications for further research and practice.