Psychological and pedagogical study of the specific features of interaction between parents and children with severe multiple developmental disorders

Introduction. The aim of the study is to investigate the personality indicators of parents raising children with severe multiple developmental disorders and their dynamics in the process of participation in a psychocorrectional programme. The object of the study is families raising children with such disorders, and the subject is the dynamics of parents' psychological defence mechanisms and its influence on the psychosocial adaptation of families. The hypothesis of the study assumes the presence of specific regressive changes in the personality of parents, which may limit their psychological and social adaptation

Materials and methods. The study included low-formalised methods, such as interviews, anamnestic data collection, analysis of documentation and products of activity, as well as standardised methods, including the experimental-psychological technique "Life Style Index" and the loyalty index (NPS). A total of 22 parents from 8 cities in Russia raising children with severe multiple developmental disorders were studied. The study was conducted in three stages: preparatory-analytical, main experimental and final generalising stages.

Results. The study revealed the presence of specific regressive changes in the system of psychological defence mechanisms in parents, which limits their psychological and social adaptation. The developed psychocorrectional programme aimed at correction of inadequate psychological defences led to a significant decrease in the use of some defence mechanisms such as regression and projection, which had a positive effect on the parents' social adaptation

Discussion and conclusions. The results confirm the hypothesis of the study about the presence of specific regressive personality changes in parents of children with severe multiple developmental disorders. Conducting a psychocorrectional programme based on group forms of work and psychological and pedagogical approach was effective in improving the psychological and social adaptation of families. The practical significance of the study lies in the development of a methodology of group sessions that promote successful psychosocial adaptation of parents.

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