Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental childhood disorder associated with cognitive and language impairments. Previous research found that children with developmental disorders increase parenting stress but parents of children with ASD, specifically have recorded higher parenting stress than any other developmental disabilities. Hence, this study investigates the difference in parenting stress levels among parents of children with ASD compared to a typical development (TD) control group. Parenting Stress Index, 3rd Edition Short Form was used to assess the parenting stress levels of 30 parents of children with ASD and 36 parents of TD children. Parents of children with ASD were sampled at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Tangkak Hospital and National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) in Muar and Segamat. Parents of children with ASD recorded significantly higher levels of parenting stress compared to the TD group (p<0.001). Parents of male children of ASD recorded significantly higher levels of parenting stress compared to the parents of male children of TD group (p<0.001). Parents of female children of ASD also recorded significantly higher levels of parenting stress compared to parents of female children of TD group (p<0.001). Intervention towards ASD children should not only focus on minimizing the core symptoms but should also pay attention to the family’s mental health as well.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.