Stress, Coping and Life Satisfaction in parents of children With and without Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Authors
Giles, Helena
Issue Date
2015
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
Raising a child with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (A.S.D.) can be stressful for parents. Irish prevalence rates of A.S.D. are 1%. The purpose of the on line study is to investigate differences in levels of stress, coping (active coping & emotional support) and satisfaction with life in parents of children with and without A.S.D. A convenience sample of 80 participants (n=47 parents of child with A.S.D., n=33 parents of child without A.S.D) participated. Parents of children with A.S.D. did not report higher levels of stress, coping or satisfaction with life. Active coping reported higher in parents of a child with A.S.D. Satisfaction with life was reported higher in parents with a child without A.S.D. A statistically significant relationship existed between emotional support and satisfaction with life (r=.32), parental stress and satisfaction with life (r=-.620). The results of a regression indicated that satisfaction with life predicted stress and explained 28% of the variance. Author Keywords: A.S.D., parental stress, coping, life satisfaction social psychology