Abstract
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate coping skills used by mothers of children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and the relationship between the coping skills and depresssion and anxiety levels of mothers.
Method:
The research included 40 mothers of children between ages 3-14 years diagnosed as autistic disorder or pervasive developmental disorder- not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) who had applied to the Gülhane Military Medical Academy Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient clinic consequetively and 30 mothers of healthy children in the same age range. The coping skills of mothers were evaluated by COPE and depression and anxiety levels of mothers were evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory.
Results:
It was found that the Beck depression and anxiety scores of mothers in the study sample were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. The scores of active coping, seeking of instrumental social support and restraint coping subscales and total scores of problem focused coping skills were significantly higher in ASD group compared with healthy controls.
Conclusions:
It should be kept in mind that the depressive and anxiety symptom levels of mothers of children with ASD might be higher than the healthy controls. Awareness about the coping skills used by mothers of ASD group points out the necessary aspects that should be supported by clinicians in psychiatric interview.
Keywords: Autistic spectrum disorder, coping, mother
