Investigation of Family Functioning and Social Support Levels in Families with a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Objectives: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction. ASD affects family stress levels, family life, and social support systems. It was aimed at determining the family functionality and social support level of families with a child with ASD, who was diagnosed relatively recently in early childhood, and examining the relationship between family functionality and perceptions of social support. Materials and Methods: The descriptive survey method was used. Our study was conducted with a total of 60 mothers of children diagnosed with ASD (ASD group) and typically developing children (control group) between 2022-2023. Demographic information, including age, gender, and education information of both mothers and children of the two groups, as well as the Family Assessment Scale (FAS) and the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS), were applied. The data of the ASD groups and control groups were compared in terms of the FAS and MPSSS, and the relationship between these scales was examined. Results: The ASD group had lower sub-dimension scores on the MPSSS than the control group, with only the "family" sub-dimension showing a statistically significant difference (p=0.045). Statistical significance was found in the "General Functioning" sub-dimension of the FAD between the ASD and control groups (p= 0.033). In the relationship between the MPSSS and FAD, it was seen that the level of perceived social support was related to family functionality. Conclusion: In families with children with ASD, perceptions of social support and family functionality are impacted. It seems that family harmony and functionality improve as the perceived social support system of families expands.

Keywords

• autism spectrum disorders
• family function
• social support

Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Olan Çocuğa Sahip Ailelerin Aile İşlevselliği ve Sosyal Destek Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB) sosyal etkileşimi etkileyen nörogelişimsel bir bozukluktur. OSB, ailelerin stres düzeyini, aile yaşantısını ve sosyal destek sistemlerini etkilemektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı erken çocukluk döneminde nispeten yeni tanılanan OSB sahip çocuğu olan ailelerin aile işlevselliğini ve sosyal destek düzeyini belirlemek ve aile işlevselliği ile sosyal destek algıları arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Betimsel tarama yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Çalışmamız 2022- 2023 tarihleri arasında OSB tanısı alan (OSB grup) ve tipik gelişim gösteren (kontrol grup) toplam 60 çocuğun annesi ile yapılmıştır. İki grubun hem annelerine hem de çocuklarına ait yaş, cinsiyet, eğitim bilgilerini içeren demografik bilgiler ile Aile Değerlendirme Ölçeği (ADÖ) ve Çok Yönlü Algılanan Sosyal Destek Ölçeği (ÇYASDÖ) uygulanmıştır. Çalışma ve kontrol grubun verileri ADÖ ve ÇYASDÖ açısından karşılaştırılmış ve bu ölçekler arasındaki ilişkiye bakılmıştır. Bulgular: OSB grubunun çok yönlü algılan sosyal destek ölçeğinin alt boyutlarında kontrol grubuna göre düşük puanlar elde etmiş olup, sadece "aile" alt boyut alanında iki grup arasında istatiksel olarak anlamlı fark elde edilmiştir (p= 0.045). OSB ve kontrol grubu arasında ADÖ’nin "Genel İşlevler " alt boyutunda istatiksel olarak anlamlılık saptanmıştır (p= 0.033). ÇYASDÖ ve ADÖ arasındaki ilişkide ise, algılanan sosyal destek düzeyi ile aile işlevselliğinin ilişkili olduğunu görülmüştür. Sonuç: OSB’li çocuğa sahip olan ailelerde algılanan sosyal destek düzeyi ve aile işlevselliği etkilenmektedir. Ayrıca algılanan sosyal destek sistemi arttıkça ailelerin uyumu ve aile işlevselliği de arttığı görülmüştür.

Keywords

• otizm spektrum bozukluğu
• aile işlevleri
• sosyal destek

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