Burnout, Anxiety and Coping Attitudes in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the relationship between burnout level, anxiety and coping attitudes of parents with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was examined together with demographic variables. Methods: Relational model was used in the research. The research was conducted with the parents of 180 children diagnosed with ASD who were educated in a special education and rehabilitation centre. Data were obtained using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Coping Attitudes Rating Scale (COPE). T Test, One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation analysis were used in the analysis of the data. Results: In the research findings, it was observed that the burnout level of the parents differed according to the age groups of the autistic children, the number of siblings and the psychiatric disease history of the parents. In addition, it was observed that the anxiety level and coping methods of the parents differed significantly according to the psychiatric illness history of the parents. A strong positive correlation was found between parents' anxiety and burnout levels. A moderately positive relationship was also found between the emotional burnout levels of the parents and their coping levels. Conclusion: It was observed that the level of anxiety and burnout were lower in parents who used the problem-focused coping method. It was observed that the parents who participated in the study overcame the problems by using problem-focused coping methods and this situation had a positive effect on their lives. In addition, it was observed that parents with high levels of anxiety and burnout used dysfunctional coping methods more.