Dimensions of stress in parents of children with autistic spectrum disorder

Authors

Amirah Hazwani Binti Bakri, Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaFollow
Noor Aishah Binti Rosli, Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Zarinah Binti Mohd Kasirun, Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mohd Hairul Nizam Bin Md Nasir, Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fazidah Binti Othman, Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tengku Sarina Aini Binti Tengku Kasim, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Parents of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at an increased risk for stress and other mental health problems. While treatment is mainly focused on the child, somehow parents’ stress is exacerbated. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to identify the sources of stress in the parents of children with ASD. Methods: The 52 parents of children with ASD who participated in the study completed the child domain (CD) and parent domain (PD) subscales of the Parenting Stress Index Fourth Edition (PSI-4). Subsequently, the scores of the PSI-4 subscales were analyzed and compared. Results: The respondents scored the highest for the distractibility/hyperactivity subscale in the child domain and highest for the depression subscale in the parent domain. Conclusion: The results of this study may help to determine suitable treatment for parents of children with ASD. Child and parent characteristics contribute equally to parental stress, distractibility/hyperactivity and depression were most prevalent in the CD and PD respectively.

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Recommended Citation

Bakri AB, Rosli NB, Mohd Kasirun ZB, Md Nasir MB, Othman FB, Tengku Kasim TB, et al. Dimensions of stress in parents of children with autistic spectrum disorder. Makara J Health Res. 2019;23.