Investigating the Predictive Role of Perceived Parenting Stress in Adaptability and Cohesion among Family of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

It is widely accepted that parents of children with autism face higher stress than parents of normal children. Investigating the effects of such stresses on the family is a proper strategy for planning to manage the problems of having a child with autism disorder. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive role of perceived parenting stress in adaptability and cohesion among family of children with autism spectrum disorder in Bushehr and Shiraz cities in the years 2019.

This cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2019 on 125 parents of children with autism in educational and rehabilitation centers Bushehr and Shiraz cities, selected by simple sampling method. Study data were collected using demographic data form, Parenting Stress Index, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES), and Diagnostic tests for autism spectrum disorder (GRAS). To analyze the data, different tests were applied including Pearson correlation coefficient, Spearman, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and linear regression.

Mean age of participants in the study was 53.29±7.94. Mean total score of parenting stress and FACES were equal to 134.51±12.56 and 51.2±7.8, respectively. Among different subscales of parenting stress, Difficult Child character shows a significant inverse statistical correlation with adaptability (β=-0.361, p>0.001), cohesion (β=-0.363, p>0.002) and total score of adaptability and cohesion (β=-0.379, p>0.001).

According to the results, parenting stress is inversely related to family adaptability and cohesion. So, parents of children with autism are experiencing family problems that need attention and planning by health authorities to address such issues.