Perceived Stigma, Social Support, Care giving Burden and Marital Adjustment among Mothers of Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Published in: Bahria journal of professional psychology Vol. 22; no. 1; p. 16
• Main Authors: Wasay, Sauliha, Khan, Masha Asad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Karachi Bahria University - Karachi Campus 30.06.2023
• Subjects: Adjustment; Autistic children; Caregivers; Disability; Families & family life; Mental disorders; Mental health; Parents & parenting; Psychopathology; Research design; Social support; Society; Special education; Stigma; Stress; Pakistan
• ISSN: 1816-0840

The purpose of this correlational study was to identify the relationship of perceived stigma, social support, caregiving burden and marital adjustment among mothers having children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It also investigated the predictors of marital adjustment and mediating role of caregiving burden between the relationship of perceived stigma and marital adjustment among mothers of children having ASD. Total of 100 mothers aged between 24-55 years (M=36.55; SD= 6.57) participated in this study. Data was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Multiple Hierarchical Linear Regression and PROCESS by Hayes (2018). Results revealed low social support and high caregiving burden were significantly related with low marital adjustment among mothers. Family support emerged as a significant positive whilst friends support and caregiving burden as negative predictor of marital adjustment. Mediation analysis showed caregiving burden to fully mediate the pathway between perceived stigma, social support and marital adjustment. This study has implications for mental health practitioners, social workers and government to develop awareness and public policy for parents of special children.