EXAMINATION OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS LEVELS OF MOTHERS OF CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Year 2024, Volume: 26 Issue: 3, 1269 - 1287, 15.09.2024

Elçin Yorulmaz , Gülay Dirik , Muazzez Yıldırım

https://doi.org/10.16953/deusosbil.1443858

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disorder whose prevalence has increased over the years and affects both the diagnosed individual and his/her family. It is observed that parents experience stress in the process and report depression and anxiety. This study aims to investigate the relationships between these symptoms and perceived social support (PSS) and the protective role of PSS in the effects of stress on depression. To achieve this aim, 156 mothers whose children were diagnosed with ASD participated in the study. Demographic Information Form, Depression Anxiety Stress 21 Scale (DASS-21) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were applied to the participants. As a result of the study, it was found that stress, depression and anxiety had positive relationships with each other, while the relationships of PSS and PSS from different sources with these symptoms were also examined. As a consequence, only PSS from a significant other was found to have a negative relationship with depression. Additionally, the moderating role of PSS and PSS from different sources in the relationship between stress and depression was not found. As a result, it was concluded that PSS does not have a protective role in the effects of stress on depression. While there are conflicting findings in the literature, it is thought that it would be beneficial to evaluate the perceptions and expectations of mothers with children diagnosed with ASD regarding social support. Finally, the limitations of the present study and suggestions for future research were mentioned.

Keywords

Mothers of Children Diagnosed with ASD, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Perceived Social Support.

OTİZM SPEKTRUM BOZUKLUĞU TANISI OLAN ÇOCUKLARIN ANNELERİNİN ALGILADIKLARI SOSYAL DESTEK VE PSİKOLOJİK SIKINTI DÜZEYLERİNİN İNCELENMESİ

Abstract

Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB) yaygınlığı yıllar içerisinde artarak hem tanı alan bireyi hem de ailesini etkileyen bir rahatsızlıktır. Ebeveynlerin süreçte stres yaşadıkları, depresyon ve anksiyete rapor ettikleri görülmektedir. Bu çalışmada OSB tanılı çocuğu olan annelerin psikolojik sıkıntı düzeyleri, bu sıkıntılar ile algılanan sosyal desteğin (ASD) ilişkisi ve stresin depresyon üzerindeki etkilerinde ASD’nin koruyucu rolünün incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amacı gerçekleştirmek için çalışmaya çocuğu OSB tanısı almış 156 anne katılmıştır. Katılımcılara Demografik Bilgi Formu, Depresyon Anksiyete Stres 21 Ölçeği (DASS-21) ve Çok Boyutlu Algılanan Sosyal Destek Ölçeği (MSPSS) uygulanmıştır. Araştırmanın sonucunda, stres, depresyon ve anksiyetenin pozitif ilişkileri olduğu bulunurken, ASD’nin ve farklı kaynaklardan ASD’nin de bu belirtilerle ilişkileri incelenmiştir. Yalnızca özel birinden ASD depresyon ile negatif ilişkili olarak bulunmuştur. Ayrıca, stres ve depresyon ilişkisinde ASD’nin ve farklı kaynaklardan ASD’nin düzenleyici rolüne ilişkin hipotezler desteklenmemiştir. Sonuç olarak, ASD’nin stresin depresyon üzerindeki etkilerinde koruyucu rolünün olmadığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Alanyazın bağlamında da çelişkili bulguların olduğu görülürken, OSB tanılı çocuğu olan anneler açısından sosyal desteğe dair algılarının, beklentilerinin değerlendirilmesinin fayda sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir. Son olarak, çalışmanın kısıtlılıkları ve gelecek çalışmalar için öneriler yer almaktadır.

Keywords

OSB Tanılı Çocuğu Olan Anneler, Depresyon, Anksiyete, Stres, Algılanan Sosyal Destek.

Ethical Statement

Araştırmamızı etik ilkelere bağlı olarak yaptığımızı beyan ederiz.

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma kapsamında, herhangi bir çıkar çatışması bulunmamaktadır ve finansal destek kullanılmamıştır.

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