The investigation of the depression levels of parents of children with autism
Keywords:
Autism, Depression, Family with autism.Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the depression levels of parents of children with autism. The depression levels of mothers (N=35) and fathers (N=23) of autistic children educated in special education and rehabilitation centers were examined. In this study, socio-demographic features i.e., gender, age, education of mothers and fathers, occupation, were collected and the Beck Depression Inventory was applied to the parents to determine the risk factors of depression, symptom levels. The inventory includes 21 phrases of self-evaluation and possible scores range from 0 - 63. In the statistical analysis of the data, frequency values were applied to the evaluation of the demographic status. The mean and standard deviation were determined to evaluate the depression levels. T-tests were performed to compare the depression levels of mothers and fathers. An Anova test was performed to assess the relationships between the parameters. As a result, it was determined that mothers of autistic children have medium levels of depression (18,80±11,05), and fathers of autistic children have mild levels of depression. T-test analysis showed no significant differences between depression levels of mothers and fathers (p<0,05). Additionally; when income rates, occupations and educational status parameters were taken into account there was no significant difference according to the Anova test (p<0,05). In conclusion, mothers of autistic children have higher depression levels than the fathers.
Downloads
Metrics
References
Al Towairqi, W., Alosaimi, W., Al Zaidi, S., Helmy, F. F., & Al Sherif, E. (2017).Depression among mothers of autistic spectral disorder children. International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 2(2), 119-126.
AltugOzsoy, S. (2006). Examination of the difficulties of families with children with mental retardation, Family and Community, 3(9):69.
Arslan, E., &Ince, G. (2015).The Effects of 12 weeks Exercise Program on the Level of Gross Motor Skill of the Children with Atypical Autism. International Journal of Sports, Exercise and Training Science, 1(1),.
Ayvaz, S., Hocaoglu, Ç.,Tiryaki, A., &Ak, I. (2006). Postpartum depression in Trabzon province center and associated demographic risk factors in pregnancy. Journal of Turkish Psychiatry, 17(4), 243-251.
Demir, G., Ozcan, A., Kizilirmak, A. (2010), Determination of the Depression Levels of Disabled Chıldren’s Mothers. Journal of Anatolia Nursing and Health Sciences, 13(4).
Dereli, F., Okur, S. (2008), Determination of depression status of the families with disabled children, Journal of New Medicine; 25: 164-168.
Durukan, I., Erdem, M., Tufan, A., &Turkbay, T. (2010). Attitudes of the Mothers of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders Towards Coping and Relation to Depression and Anxiety Levels. Journal of Child and Youth Mental Health, 17(2), 75-82.
Ergin, D., Sen, N., Eryilmaz, N. E., Pekuslu, S., &Kayaci, M. (2007). Determination of depression level and affecting factors of parents with disabled children. Journal of Anatolia Nursing and Health Sciences, 10(1).
Firat, F. (2016). Depression and anxiety levels of parents of autistic children, Cukurova Medical Journal;41(3):539-547.
Ingersoll, B., &Hambrick, D. Z. (2011).The relationship between the broader autism phenotype, child severity, and stress and depression in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(1), 337-344.
Softa, H. K. (2013). Examination of depression levels of parents with disabled children. Journal of Kastamonu Education, 21(2).
Kaytez, N., Durualp, E., &Kadan, G. (2015). Examination the needs and stress levels of families with disabled children. Journal of Research in Education and Teaching, 4(1).
Kiani, F., Khodabakhsh, M. R., Hashjin, H. K. (2014). Comparison of Parenting- Related Stress and Depression Symptoms in Mothers of Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), International Journal of Pediatrics (Supplement 5), Vol.2, N.3-3, Serial No.9.
Olsson, M. B., & Hwang, C. P. (2001).Depression in mothers and fathers of children with intellectual disability. Journal of intellectual disability research, 45(6), 535-543.
Sengul, S., &Baykan, H. (2013).Attitudes of mothers of mentally retarded children to cope with depression, anxiety, and stress. Journal of Kocatepe Medicine, 14(1).
Uguz, S., Toros, F., Inanc, B. Y., &Colakkadioglu, O. (2004). Determination of anxiety, depression and stress levels of mothers of mentally and/or physically handicapped children. Clinical Psychiatry, 7(1), 42-7.
Ustuner Top, F. (2009). Assessment of the Problems and Mental Status of the Autistic Child's Families: Qualitative Research. Journal of Child, 9(1):34-42.
Yanardag, M., Yilmaz, I. (2012). An intervention approach in children with autistic disorder: in-water activities. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 4(1), 32-45.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors can retain copyright, while granting the journal right of first publication. Alternatively, authors can transfer copyright to the journal, which then permits authors non-commercial use of the work, including the right to place it in an open access archive. In addition, Creative Commons can be consulted for flexible copyright licenses.
©1999 Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
