Stress, anxiety, coping among parents of children with ASD in Ireland during Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors
Senchea, Gabriela
Issue Date
2021
Degree
BA Hons in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate relationships between stress, anxiety and coping among parents of an ASD child in Ireland, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Parents (N=61, 55 women, 6 men) completed an anonymous online survey including standardised Brief COPE and DASS-21 Scales. Results found most parents’ had high well-being and preferred ‘approach coping’ style during Covid-19 pandemic. Avoidance coping was significantly positively correlated with higher stress and anxiety, whereas a approach coping was unrelated to stress or anxiety. Coping preferences did not differ between employed/not-employed groups. Stress and anxiety level were uncorrelated with age. Extremely severe anxiety predicted higher approach coping. Conversely, extremely severe stress predicted higher avoidance coping. The high stress-avoidance coping relationship replicates previous research findings. Future qualitative research should explore reasons why avoidance coping is used among parents with highest stress, to inform development of pre-interventions to improve their wellbeing and adaptive approach coping.