The Relationship between Autism Spectrum Disorder among Children and Perceived Functioning among Parents in Italy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12974/2311-8687.2024.12.03Keywords:
Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Depression, Inclusion, Parents, SupportAbstract
Aim: To evaluate how the life of a parent changes from a psychological, social and economic point of view and to investigate levels of anxiety and depression perceived from the moment of diagnosis of the child's Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Methods: From March to December 2021 an observational, cross sectional multicentre study was conducted.
Results: A total of 372 parents were recruited in this survey. From data collected, most of parents reported high depression than anxiety levels. Parents interviewed declared that in most of the life spheres, such as: social, working, family, the presence of their sons with ADS have importantly influenced their lives. No significant associations were recorded between the autistic child habits or behaviors and the presence of anxiety among participants. On the other hand, motor and vocalist which could create serious disturbance among neighborhood was significantly associated with depression condition (p=0.021).
Conclusions: It has been shown that social, psychological and economic support from institutions and professionals is still very low.
References
Surian, L. Un dibattito sulla Linea Guida 21 «Il Trattamento dei disturbi dello spettro autistico nei bambini e negli adolescenti». Psicologia clinica dello sviluppo 2012; 16(3): 599-599.
Truzoli, R. Aba per bambini con comportamento autistico. Principi teorici e strumenti applicativi 2021, 1.
Tyagi, V.; Juneja, M.; Jain, R. Sleep problems and their correlates in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: an Indian study. JADD 2019; 49(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3820-6
Ferramosca, M.P.; Lupo, R.; Carriero, M.C.; Pilon, A.; Primativo, C.; Vitale, E. Can the parent training technique reduce parental stress in the food selectivity of children with autism spectrum? Minerva Psychiatry 2021; 62(4): 241-7. https://doi.org/10.23736/S2724-6612.21.02184-9
McConkey, R.; Cassin, M.T.; McNaughton, R. Promoting the Social Inclusion of Children with ASD: A Family-Centred Intervention. Brain Sci. 2020; 10(5): 318. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10050318
Simonelli, A. La funzione Genitoriale. Sviluppo e psicopatologia. Milano: Raffaello Cortina, 2014.
Marrone, M. Il sistema famiglia in presenza di un figlio con autismo. L'integrazione scolastica e sociale 2015; 14(4): 389-407.
Shu, B.C.; Hsieh, H.C.; Hsieh, S.C.; Li, S.M. Toward an understanding of mothering: the care giving process of mothers with autistic children. J Nurs Res. 2001; 9(5): 203-13. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.JNR.0000347577.24468.ae
Gray, D.E. Gender and coping: the parents of children with high functioning autism. Soc Sci Med. 2003; 56(3): 631-42.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(02)00059-X
Spielberger, C.D. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory: Bibliography (2nd ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1989.
Spielberger, C.D.; Gorsuch, R.L.; Lushene, R.; Vagg, P.R.; Jacobs, G.A. Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1983.
Beck, A.T.; Steer, R.A.; Ball, R.; Ranieri, W. Comparison of Beck Depression Inventories -IA and -II in psychiatric outpatients. J Pers Assess. 1996; 67(3): 588-97. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa6703_13
Ministero della Salute. Linee guida 21, Il trattamento dei disturbi dello spettro autistico nei bambini e negli adolescenti, Sistema Nazionale per le Linee Guida, 2015. Data di pubblicazione: Ottobre 2011; data di aggiornamento: Ottobre 2015. Available from: https://www.autismeurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Il-trattamento-dei-disturbi-dello-spettro-autistico-nei-bambini-e-negli-adolescenti.pdf. Accessed on October 1, 2022.
National Health Service. (2019). Autism Spectrum. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ autism/signs/children/ Accessed on September 20, 2022.
Crane, L.; Chester, J.W.; Goddard, L.; Henry, L.A.; Hill, E. Experiences of autism diagnosis: A survey of over 1000 parents in the United Kingdom. Autism. 2016; 20(2): 153-62. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361315573636
Hartley, S.L.; Barker, E.T.; Seltzer, M.M.; Greenberg, J.S.; Floyd, F.J. Marital satisfaction and parenting experiences of mothers and fathers of adolescents and adults with autism. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2011; 116(1): 81-95. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-116.1.81
Annunziata, R. L' approccio sistemico relazionale e la presa in carico della famiglia del soggetto autistico. Phenomena Journal - Giornale Internazionale Di Psicopatologia, Neuroscienze E Psicoterapia 2021; 3(2): 93-100.
Zorcec, T.; Pop-Jordanova, N. Main Needs and Challenges of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Pril (Makedon Akad Nauk Umet Odd Med Nauki). 2020; 41(2): 81-88. https://doi.org/10.2478/prilozi-2020-0036
Kütük, M.Ö.; Tufan, A.E.; Kılıçaslan, F.; Güler, G.; Çelik, F.; Altıntaş, E.; Gökçen, C.; Karadağ, M.; Yektaş, Ç.; Mutluer, T.; Kandemir, H.; Büber, A.; Topal, Z.; Acikbas, U.; Giray, A.; Kütük, Ö. High Depression Symptoms and Burnout Levels Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Multi-Center, Cross-Sectional, Case-Control Study. J Autism Dev Disord. 2021; 51(11): 4086-4099. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04874-4
Conte, L.; Lupo, R.; Mazzarella, C.; Calabrò, A.; Vaglio, L.; Chirizzi, S.; Donadio, C.; Carvello, M.; Marsella, A.; Artioli, G.; Vitale, E. Autism Spectrum Disorders and inclusion attitudes in the Italian school environments: teachers' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and their necessity to consult a healthcare multidisciplinary team. Acta Biomed. 2022; 93(4): e2022284.
Grumi, S.; Provenzi, L.; Gardani, A.; Aramini, V.; Dargenio, E.; Naboni, C.; Vacchini, V.; Borgatti, R.; Engaging with Families through On-line Rehabilitation for Children during the Emergency (EnFORCE) Group. Rehabilitation services lockdown during the COVID-19 emergency: the mental health response of caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Disabil Rehabil. 2021; 43(1): 27-32. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1842520
Ganesan, B.; Fong, K.N.K.; Meena, S.K.; Prasad, P.; Tong, R.K.Y. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on occupational therapy practice and use of telerehabilitation - A cross sectional study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2021; 25(9): 3614-3622.
