Relationship between functional independence of children with autism spectrum disorder and parents stress: a moderating effect of social support

Abstract

This current study was aimed to check relationship between functional independence of children with ASD and parental stress: a moderating effect of social support. Through convenient sampling technique, a sample of (N=30) parents of autistic children were taken from Autism Resource Centre Islamabad/Rawalpindi and IMR Islamabad, Pakistan. The design used in the present study was cross-sectional / co-relational research design. Parents stress was measured by Parental stress scale (PSS) which was given by Berry & Jones (1995), Social Support was measured by using Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) developed by Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, Farley (1988) and functional independence of children was measured through Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale II (VABS-II) given by Sparrow, Balla & Cicchetti (2005). The collected data was analyzed through SPSS (version 23). Frequency distribution, correlation, multi-linear regression analysis, moderation, independent sample t-test, One Way (ANOVA) and post hoc were used to check the hypotheses of the study. Results showed significant negative correlation between adaptive behavior composite and parents stress further with social support and parental stress. Moreover, perceived social support acted as a moderator in relationship between functional independence of children and parental stress. Further t-test analysis between Gender of children on variables of FI shows that girls scored higher on socialization domain than boys. Same as in ABC girls scored higher than boys. Comparison among Birthorder of children by using one-way (ANOVA) revealed that mean difference of socialization domain of second born is greater than first born and only child while in motor skill domain mean is greater in first born then the other two. Same in a way the P.S of second born is higher the others. Hence, it is concluded that there is significant negative correlation between functional independence of children with ASD and stress of their parents. Moreover social support plays a moderating role between them.