Resilience and social support as predictors of post-traumatic growth in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundThere are few studies about the role of resilience and social support in post-traumatic growth (PTG) in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). AimThis study examined the relationship between social support, resilience, and PTG and the predictive role of resilience and social support related to PTG in Saudi Arabian mothers. Methods and ProceduresA survey-based quantitative study was conducted in 88 mothers aged 18–46 years (M = 33.5; SD = 8.02) who had a child with ASD. They were sampled from nine day care centers in Riyadh and the Central-Eastern-Southern region. Outcomes and ResultsThe findings showed a significant positive correlation between perceived social support, resilience, and PTG, and revealed that Resilience-competence was the only significant predictor of PTG-personal strength, appreciation of life, spiritual change new possibilities, and total PTG, while positive acceptance of change was a significant predictor of PTG-relating to others. Moreover, social support from friends and significant others were significant predictors of PTG-total. Conclusions and ImplicationsWe found that, for mothers of a child with ASD in Saudi Arabia, the biggest factors predicting post-traumatic growth were a notion of personal competence and social support from friends. Intervention is suggested to lower the risk of trauma.