Experiences of parents of children with autism: Parenting, schooling, and social inclusion of autistic children. (original) (raw)
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We examined the rate of depression among 110 parents of children with disabilities and tested a model to determine the unique factors associated with parental depression. Consenting parents completed measures of depression, family satisfaction, physical health, problem-solving abilities, stress appraisals, and child functional impairment. Participants were categorized as depressed or nondepressed based on their responses to the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9; Kroenke, Spitzer, & Williams, 2001). Nineteen percent of the parents met screening criteria for depression. Regression analyses revealed that threat appraisals, poorer physical health, and lower family satisfaction were uniquely associated with depression status with 83.3% accuracy. These findings highlight the importance of family satisfaction, problem solving ability, physical health, and the influence of appraisal processes on depression among parents of children with disabilities.
Depression, Stress and Anxiety among Parents of Sons with Disabilities
The Psychologist: Practice & Research Journal
Background: The prevention of depression, stress, and anxiety is an enormous concern of the World Health Organization and it has been a topic of research over the last decades. However, studies with families with sons or daughters with disabilities are scarce, which stresses out the need to develop scientific research in this area. It is of paramount importance to understand the impact of having a child with disability, so that effective strategies of action can be delineated. Goals: This study aims to assess depression, stress and anxiety of parents with sons or daughters having intellectual deficit, multi-deficiency or autism, considering gender, age of both parents and sons/daughters, as well as education level of the parents.Methods: With a cross-sectional observational study, data were collected at schools and at special education institutions through self-administered questionnaires. Two different groups of participants were included in the sample: parents of sons/daughters ha...
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Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment, 2024
Background: This study investigates the risk factors faced by parents of children with Severe Intellectual Disabilities. Methods: This study used a phenomenological research design within a qualitative research approach. Six parents of children diagnosed with Severe Intellectual Disability at Learners with Special Educational Needs schools were purposively selected to participate in this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and a focus group. Thematic data analysis was used to analyze data. Results: The findings of this study revealed that parents of children with Severe Intellectual Disabilities faced risks that exacerbated negative outcomes. Psychological distress, social exclusion and isolation, financial burdens, and lack of access to formal education were risk factors that hindered their ability to care for and support their children. Conclusions: Based on these findings, the study concluded that parents need access to multidisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals to support them in combatting the risk factors they face.
The investigation of the depression levels of parents of children with autism
Journal of Human Sciences, 2017
The aim of this study was to investigate the depression levels of parents of children with autism. The depression levels of mothers (N=35) and fathers (N=23) of autistic children educated in special education and rehabilitation centers were examined. In this study, socio-demographic features i.e., gender, age, education of mothers and fathers, occupation, were collected and the Beck Depression Inventory was applied to the parents to determine the risk factors of depression, symptom levels. The inventory includes 21 phrases of self-evaluation and possible scores range from 0-63. In the statistical analysis of the data, frequency values were applied to the evaluation of the demographic status. The mean and standard deviation were determined to evaluate the depression levels. T-tests were performed to compare the depression levels of mothers and fathers. An Anova test was performed to assess the relationships between the parameters. As a result, it was determined that mothers of autistic children have medium levels of depression (18,80±11,05), and fathers of autistic children have mild levels of depression. T-test analysis showed no significant differences between depression levels of mothers and fathers (p<0,05). Additionally; when income rates, occupations and educational status parameters were taken into account there was no significant difference according to the Anova test (p<0,05). In conclusion, mothers of autistic children have higher depression levels than the fathers.
Raising a child with disability and dealing with life events: A mother's journey
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 2013
Intellectual disability services recognise people with intellectual disability as a family member and aim to provide effective support that facilitates family cohesion. However, the needs of families and individuals within the family should be addressed in a holistic manner to ensure a seamless service. This article outlines a mother’s reflections on her experience of raising a child with autism spectrum disorder and its impact on her life. The article focuses on one mother’s feelings, coping or lack of coping and growth during a time of sadness. This article written by a mother, nurse and academic through their shared interest in supporting families of children with a disability all came together to tell this story. It is hoped that this article will assist professionals understand a mother’s perspective when raising a child with intellectual disability and support professionals to recognise the importance of listening, coordinated support and working in partnership.
Review of Psychopedagogy, 2022
This study aimed to discover whether parents of children with disabilities report higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress compared to parents of typical children, but also whether having a child with special needs influences the parent's job. By applying the DASS and PSS questionnaires, we concluded that these parents are more stressed, depressed and anxious, but also that they give up their jobs to take care of the disabled child.
DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS AMONG PARENTS OF DISABLED CHILDREN
It is indisputable that children have a key role in the family structure which, in the widest sense of the word, is described as the most basic building block of society. Many parents have the dream of having children. But having children also requires families to make many new arrangements and changes in their lives. While this is a happy occasion, it may be challenging both financially and mentally for first-time parents. Parents have the desire to have a healthy and typically developing child at the beginning of the pregnancy period. If this desire is not realized or parents learn that the child is disabled, the happiness and joy that occurs at the beginning of the pregnancy could leave the parents in a state of shock, rejection and deep grief. Having a disabled child born into a family can disrupt the normal routine in the family life, the marital relations between the couples, the healthy communication in the family and the positive family atmosphere. It is stated that this leads to great distress and changes in the family life. Among the reasons of this distress are the stress caused by the disabled child in the family, the physical, financial and psychological problems encountered, having a disabled sibling in the family, the roles taken on by the parents of the disabled child, the lack of staff or experts who cannot understand the family and the reactions of friends and people who are close associates with the family members (Özşenol,Işıkhan, Unay, Aydin, Akın and Gökçay, 2003)
Background Families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are burdened both psychologically and financially. This study investigated the general concerns and the needs for support and information of Greek mothers of children with ASD, their health problems and the family financial burden. Methods Study was made of 61 mothers (mean age: 43.69±5.84 years) of children with ASD (86.9% boys, mean age: 10.33±2.9 years), who completed questionnaires assessing the family environment, burden and needs regarding the child, and maternal depression and health problems. Results The majority of mothers (67.5%) reported depressive symptoms and health problems. Having a child with ASD put a high load on the family finances; families paid out of their own pockets amounts ranging from €401 to €1,000 per month, and in half of the families a member had to get a job or work extra hours to cover the expenses of the child's therapy. The main maternal concerns were for the child's future development 58.18%, about which they reported needing more information. The family environment was characterized as positive by 70.36%. They reported a low level of agreement between mothers and fathers on issues related to the upbringing of their child. Conclusions: Having a child with ASD has a substantial impact on maternal wellbeing, and finances, and family life in general. The need for support of families of children with ASD is pressing, and priority should be given to the funding, accessibility and improvement of the quality of public services for this population.