Difficulties and Psychological Experiences of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Roberto Lupo San Giuseppe da Copertino’ Hospital, ASL (Local Health Authority) Lecce, Italy
  • Elsa Vitale Mental Health Canter, ASL (Local Health Authority) Bari, Italy
  • Maria Teresa Capone Infermiera presso Ufficio formazione Asl Lecce
  • Alessia Lezzi ANT Italia ONLUS Foundation (National Cancer Association) Lecce, Italy
  • Cosimo Petrelli San Giuseppe da Copertino’ Hospital, ASL (Local Health Authority) Lecce, Italy
  • Ivan Rubbi School of Nursing, ASL Romagna, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • Riccardo Spedicato Infermiere presso Amopuglia ONLUS (assistenza infermieristica gratuita e cure palliative per malati oncologici)
  • Pierluigi Lezzi ‘Veris Delli Ponti’ Hospital, ASL (Local Health Authority), Scorrano, Lecce
  • Simone Zacchino Infermiere Seus 118 Asl Brindisi
  • Antonino Calabrò Nuovo Ospedale degli Infermi’ Hospital, ASL (Local Health Authority) Biella, Italy
  • Carlotta Paola Leone Industrial engineer freelance
  • Luana Conte "Laboratory of Biomedical Physics and Environment, Department of Mathematics and Physics "E. De Giorgi", University of Salento, Lecce, Italy" & "Advanced Data Analysis in Medicine (ADAM), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy and ASL (Local Health Authority) Lecce, Italy"
  • Maria Chiara Carriero Psychologist and psychotherapist freelance

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12974/2311-8687.2024.12.04

Keywords:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Children, Experience, Parent, Psychological difficulty

Abstract

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders are brain development disorders with multifactorial etiology, identified by difficulties in communication and social interrelation, like recurrent and stereotyped attitudes, activities, and interests. Families with children with developmental disorders may experience more difficulties than families with children without disorders. Therefore there is a need Finding ways to reduce or manage parental stress for improve the family's quality of life through the evaluation of the causes. This study aims to analyze the difficulties experienced by caregivers and the perceived inclusion and inclusion of parents and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the social fabric, thereby examining the difficulties parents face in daily life.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted online through snowball sampling until data saturation from November 2020 - March 2023, through the administration of an online questionnaire made through a Google form and disseminated through social media. Data analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Software version 17.

Results: 404 parents of children with ASD 94.8% of whom are mothers with an average age of 40.23 years. The prevalence of parents correctly defined autism as "a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication, limited interests, and repetitive behaviors". At final diagnosis, the study results reported for 87.9% of parents sadness and grief at diagnosis, followed by fear (83.9%).

Conclusions: Research in this area is critical as it can assist health care providers and scholars in understanding the unique issues parents face in raising a child with ASD, as well as support parents themselves in identifying factors that contribute to their stress level in order to take the right steps to reduce it and improve their overall well-being.

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Published

2024-04-28

How to Cite

Lupo, R. ., Vitale, E. ., Capone, M. T. ., Lezzi, A. ., Petrelli, C. ., Rubbi, I. ., Spedicato, R. ., Lezzi, P. ., Zacchino, S. ., Calabrò, A. ., Leone, C. P. ., Conte, L. ., & Carriero, M. C. . (2024). Difficulties and Psychological Experiences of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 12, 24–35. https://doi.org/10.12974/2311-8687.2024.12.04

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