Stratégies de coping et sentiment de compétence parentale des parents d’enfants atteints de troubles autistiques

Abstract

IntroductionNumerous studies have been done about the impact of the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder on the parents’ quality of life and the family as a whole. Confronting child suffering, day-to-day disability management and difficulties in integrating the child have an impact on the physical and mental well-being of parents. Parenting with a child suffering from a disability requires significant cognitive, emotional and behavioral adjustments by the parents. New knowledge in this field would make possible to adjust as much as possible the therapeutic management, in particular in the accompaniment of parents experience and parenting role. The main objective of this study is to identify links between coping strategies of parents to deal with the stressful events induced by the child's disability and their sense of parental competence. The second objective is to observe whether the integration of parents into the therapeutic management of the child has an impact on well-being. MethodThirty-three parents of children with autism spectrum disorder completed the WCC-R, PANAS, QAECEP and ASR. We have studied the links between coping strategies adopted by parents to deal with the stressful events induced by the child's disability and their sense of parental competence, a factor influencing their subjective well-being. We were interested in the consequences of the integration by the professional team of the parent in the care of the child on the feeling of parental competence. ResultsCoping strategies centered on emotions disrupt feelings of parental satisfaction. In addition, parents who are satisfied with their role tend to express a better sense of subjective well-being and parental skill than the less satisfied parents. Finally, the integration of the parent in the child care process promotes the sense of parental competence. ConclusionIt seems important to note that the better the feeling of parental competence, the less the depressive symptomatology is high. The results confirm the need for professional teams in charge of the autism spectrum disorder child to integrate, support and help parents in their parenting role. This support allows them to develop a good sense of parental competence and fosters their sense of well-being.