Mental health of parents as a factor in dealing with Autism

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Tümlü C., Akdoğan R., Diken İ. H.

SOCIAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, 2020 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2020
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/03623319.2020.1848291
  • Dergi Adı: SOCIAL SCIENCE JOURNAL
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, American History and Life, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, Historical Abstracts, PAIS International, Political Science Complete, Public Affairs Index, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, Violence & Abuse Abstracts, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Autism, parents of children with Autism, mental health, group counselling, experimental study, YOUNG-CHILDREN, SPECTRUM DISORDER, MARITAL SATISFACTION, BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT, MOTHERS, STRESS, FAMILY, INTERVENTION, OUTCOMES, LIFE
  • Anadolu Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study was conducted to investigate the directly effect of an eclectic group counselling program on certain mental health indicators/symptoms (anxiety, depression and negative self-worth) of parents of children with autism and its indirect effect on the level of autistic symptoms (stereotypical behaviour, communication and social interaction problems) of the children. The participants involved 28 parents of children diagnosed with autism and their children with autism. Experimental and control groups were formed for both parents and children. Using the Symptom Check List to assess any mental health symptoms of the parents, and the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-2 Turkish Version to measure levels of autistic symptoms of the children. The results show that not only did the psychological support given to the parents have a direct effect on the mental health of the parents, but that it also indirectly decreased the levels of autistic symptoms of the children.