Levels of happiness and depression in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Poland

Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars). 2021;81(3):279-285. doi: 10.21307/ane-2021-026.

Abstract

There are numerous factors that determine the sense of happiness and level of depression in caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this paper is to evaluate happiness and depression in/among families with an ASD child and compare with families with neurotypical children. The study included 182 participants. The participants answered questions for two questionnaires: Beck Depression Inventory and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The outcome of the study identified significant differences for sense of happiness and level of depression among the parents of children with ASD compared with the parents of neurotypical children. It was shown that parents of children with ASD reported a lower sense of happiness and a higher level of depression compared to the parents of neurotypical children. They also showed a significantly higher level of depression relative to the decreased level of happiness. Moreover, parents who have a university education degree and a child with ASD showed a higher sense of happiness and a lower level of depression than parents who had a secondary education degree, in the studied groups.

MeSH terms

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder*
  • Child
  • Depression
  • Happiness
  • Humans
  • Poland
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales