Overprotection primary factor of dependency in adolescents with disabilities

Abstract

Overprotection constitutes a critical factor in the development of dependency in adolescents with physical and cognitive disabilities, affecting both the patient and their parents. Although many of these adolescents have the necessary skills to carry out daily activities, excessive care hinders the development of their autonomy and limits their personal growth. Driven by fear and a desire to protect, parents often assume that their children are not capable of carrying out certain activities on their own, restricting their opportunities to explore and strengthen their abilities. This attitude, although well-intentioned, reinforces the perception of inability in adolescents and promotes a cycle of dependency that can continue without adequate intervention. The study was carried out with a sample of ten adolescents with the aforementioned disabilities, between 15 and 20 years old, who are not in school, belong to a medium-high socioeconomic stratum and attend the Snoozelen Psychotherapeutic Center. Data collection was carried out through a structured survey based on the Likert scale, which was designed to evaluate the relationship between parental overprotection and dependency in the lives of these adolescents. The survey allowed us to measure both the attitudes of parents and the dependent behaviors of their children. The results confirm that overprotection limits the potential development of adolescents and perpetuates a cycle of dependency. Given this situation, it is considered essential to promote independence in adolescents with disabilities, providing tools and opportunities that allow them to function in their environment. Therefore, a psychotherapeutic program aimed at parents is proposed, aimed at promoting autonomy in their children. This approach will contribute to the development of their skills, encourage greater independence and reduce dependency, resulting in an improvement in their quality of life.