An Investigation of the Effects of Online Support Services on the Quality of Life and Physical Activity of Individuals aged 25-50 years and their mothers with mental disabilities who are staying at home due to COVID-19

In this study, it was aimed to examine the effects of online support services on the quality of life (QOL) and physical activity levels of individuals aged 25-50 years and their mothers with mental retardation staying at home due to COVID-19. No change was observed in terms of physical activity level in individuals with MR who participated in online support services (p>0.05). However, mild physical activity and total physical activity scores of the control group (KG) decreased (p<0.05). At the end of ODH, moderate physical activity and total physical activity of the experimental group (DG) were found to be higher than KG (p<0.05). No change was observed in the physical activity levels of the mothers in the DG at the end of ODH. However, there was an increase in daily sitting times in KG (p<0.05). At the end of ODH, daily sitting time in DG was lower than in KG (p<0.05). When examined in terms of quality of life, no change was observed in individuals with ZY in KG and DG (p>0.05). However, DG was found to be higher in terms of psychological health and general health scores at the end of ODH (p<0.05). It was determined that the physical health, psychological health, environment and general health sub-dimensions of the quality of life of the mothers participating in ODH increased (p<0.05), while there was a decrease in physical health in CG (p<0.05). At the end of ODH, DG was higher than KG in all sub-dimensions of quality of life. values ​​were found (p<0.05). The results of the research reveal that online support services play an important role in maintaining the physical activity levels of individuals with MR and their mothers during the summer period when the restrictions are relatively less, and especially in increasing the quality of life of mothers. Services offered to their children and psychological counseling have made mothers more active and have led to a significant improvement in their quality of life. Based on these results, it is recommended that online support services be made an education and public health policy and used as an alternative or supportive method of face-to-face education after the pandemic conditions are over.