Examination of Care Burden and Stress Coping Styles of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Objective: The study was conducted to examine the caregiver burden and stress coping styles of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Design and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with parents of 131 children with ASD who were enrolled in a private education practice center in Istanbul between August 2015 and August 2016. The data were collected using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers, and the "Caregiver Strain Index" and "Ways of Coping Questionnaire."

Results: The mean age of the children in the sample group was 4.83 ± 0.99 years; 63.4% were boys. Nearly 40% (38.2%) were diagnosed as having ASD at the age of 2 years. It was determined that the parents of children with ASD had a higher burden of care (CSI mean score: 7.68 ± 4.30). The caregiver burden was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for parents of one child as compared to parents with more children, and parents with daughters compared to parents with sons. In addition, the mothers were found to have higher scores of 'submissive approach' and 'seeking social support' than fathers.

Conclusion: Parents of children with ASD had a higher caregiver burden. Scores of approach types of self-confident, helpless, optimistic, and seeking social support were significant predictors of caregiver burden.

Practice implications: Nurses are encouraged to take a more active role to improve the health of children with autism and families should contribute to mitigating the burden care of parents by informing families about social support systems.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Caregiver burden; Child; Coping with stress.