El optimismo y estilos de crianza en progenitores con hijos de necesidades educativas especiales durante la pandemia COVID-19

Abstract

In recent years, the negative effects of the Covid 19 pandemic have been constantly documented in all areas worldwide, especially in the area of Mental Health. However, there is a paucity of research with a positive scope and perspective within the family context, whose isolation also provided several parents with the possibility of adapting to the changes and facing their child's condition with optimism. Thus, it led to a personal and family challenge where attitudes, thoughts, emotions and behaviors play an essential role. Therefore, this work focused on describing the degree of optimism and its relationship with the parenting styles of parents of children with Special Educational Needs, through instruments for understanding the experience during the Covid 19 pandemic. The present study is of a mixed type and data were collected from five cases from the Mundo Inclusivo Foundation in the city of Machala, using the interview technique with semi-structured questions to deepen the analysis of each category and the observation technique for further analysis of the behavior and level of attention of the participants. In addition, three psychological inventories were applied to evaluate the level of optimism, the type of parenting and the family resources included in the support network and corresponding to the study categories. The results indicated that parents of children with Special Educational Needs show a high degree of optimism, which is associated with an authoritative democratic parenting style based on equal treatment, active listening, love and warmth, as well as limits and fair discipline. This parenting approach avoids punishment and threats and instead relies on strategies such as positive reinforcement. Specifically, it was also concluded that the child's condition did not prevent the parent from providing effective parenting and a dignified life. In fact, it was found that through increased optimism there is greater willingness to seek supportive resources and cope with the demands of care and education. Therefore, it is recommended that psychologists, from a family systemic perspective, address the needs of families and be concerned about the state of mind of the parents. During the psychological intervention, they should generate in them various protective resources such as optimism through positive thinking, encourage self-motivation and self-confidence. As well as psychoeducation regarding appropriate parenting styles, forms of interaction and communication during the coexistence with their children, so that they are the ones who prevent possible high levels of stress or negative feelings that affect their mental health and the dynamics of the family environment. Similarly, it is suggested that parents perform Mindfulness, as a practice to foster a sense of calm, trust and mutual appreciation, achieve high levels of relaxation, focus on the present and be aware in situations of uncertainty and change. Parents can even lead by example and share mindfulness techniques with the rest of the family group.