Caring for Autistic Children Based on the Development of a Family Stress Coping Model

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The limitations of social interaction, communication, cognitive abilities, behavior patterns, and activities in autistic children are sources of stress for parents. Parents’ negative stress assessment of autistic children causes maladaptive coping and has an impact on inappropriate caring behavior. AIM: Caring of autistic children based on the development of family stress coping models METHODS: This research was observational research by utilizing a cross-sectional approach. Participants of parents of autistic children at the Surabaya Autism Therapy Center. The determination of the amount using the rule of thumb formula in SEM is determined by 7 x 15 parameters of 105. Data collection uses a multi-stage random technique. Test the model reliability using the Structural Equation model - Partial Least Square (SEM - PLS), the structure using R Square, and evaluate using Q-square. RESULT: A significant influence occurred toward stress assessment against stress coping and stress coping against parental behavior in caring for children with autism. CONCLUSION: Parents’ positive assessment of stressors and energy adequacy and good health will make parents able to control themselves and make themselves an important psychological resource in developing adaptive coping. The development of adaptive coping for parents can increase togetherness among family members, maintain and reduce physiological and psychological reactions to stressors, and manage family support and professional staff to obtain comfort, attention, or assistance in improving behavior in caring for autistic children.