Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology & Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of clinical psychology, Faculty of Psychology & Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.
3
Department of Counseling, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face substantial daily stress due to the unique care demands of their children. These challenges may alter their perceptions of parenting, life meaning, and future prediction, increasing the risk of psychological distress such as demoralization syndrome. This, in turn, may lead to a chronic negative cycle, worsening the child’s maladaptive behaviors and further complicating parenting. The aim of this study is to examine the role of demoralization syndrome in predicting parenting behaviors among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. This descriptive-analytical study employed a correlational design. By visiting special education schools and rehabilitation centers located in four geographical directions of Tehran, and securing the cooperation of administrators and mothers, a total of 130 participants were selected through purposive sampling. Participants were mothers of children aged 6 to 12 years diagnosed with ASD, whose diagnosis met inclusion criteria based on the GARS-3 scale. Data collection was conducted during winter 2022. The research instruments included the “Parental Behaviors Scale- Autism spectrum disorder (PBS_A)”, the GARS-3 Autism Rating Scale, and the “Demoralization Scale of Kissane”. Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 and linear regression was conducted. The results indicated that demoralization syndrome predicted 5.2% of variance in positive parenting, 6.9% in discipline, 12.7% in rules, and 4.5% in developmental stimulation. That means, mothers who reported higher severity of demoralization syndrome showed more disciplinary behaviors, but obtained lower scores in the positive parenting, rules and development stimulation subscales.
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