The Effectiveness of a Counseling Program in Reducing Depressive Symptoms and Burnout Among Mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychology - Faculty of Education for Boys in Assiut - Al-Azhar University

2 Taif University - College of Education - Department of Special Education

Abstract

Abstract: The study aimed to reduce the level of depression and psychological burnout among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder through a counseling program, and the sample consisted of (19) mothers of children with an autism spectrum disorder in Taif governorate in Saudi Arabia, and the sample was divided into two groups, (9) mothers in the experimental group, and (10) mothers in the control group, and the list was used. A list of depression was used, the burnout scale was prepared, and the counseling program sessions were prepared, the mothers of the experimental group got (14) a counseling session, and after the end of the sessions, a post-measurement of the list of depression, burnout scale, and a follow-up measurement was done after a month. The results showed a decrease in the level of depression and burnout in mothers of the experimental group, the level was still decreased during the follow-up measurement.

Keywords

Main Subjects


Abhilash, V. L. & Jasseer, J. (2020). Quality of life and burnout among mothers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Mukt Shabd Journal, 9 (9), 9-15.
Alaedein, J. & Al-Sharaa, F. (2020). The effect of group counseling in reducing parental stress and depression in Jordanian mothers of children with autism. International Journal of Education and Practice, 8(3), 518-353.
Almandil, N. B., Alkuroud, D. N., AbdulAzeez, S., AlSulaiman, A., Elaissari, A., & Borgio, J. F. (2019). Environmental and genetic factors in autism spectrum disorders: Special emphasis on data from Arabian studies. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(4), 658.
Allala, S., & Alzubairi, S. (2016). Social Shyness among Mothers of Children with Disabilities Based on Some Variables in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(36), 197-210.
American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association: Washington, DC, USA.
Ang, K. &Loh, P. (2019). Mental Health and Coping in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Singapore: An Examination of Gender Role in Caring. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders49(1), 2129–2145.
Aqeel, M., Rehna, T. & Sarfraz, R. (2021). The association among perception of osteoarthritis with adverse pain anxiety, symptoms of depression, positive and negative effects in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A cross sectional study. Research Article, 71(2-8), 645-650.
Ardic, A. (2020). Relationship between Parental Burnout Level and Perceived Social Support Levels of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 6(3), 533-543.
Baio, J., Wiggins, L., Christensen, D. L., Maenner, M. J., Daniels, J., Warren, Z., …, Durkin, M. S. (2018). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2014. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 67(6), 1–23.
Balogun, A. G. (2014). Job burnout among working mothers in Nigeria post consolidation banks: Effects of work-family conflict and job stress. International Journal of Research Studies in Psychology, 3(5), 27– 36.
Bauman, ML. (2010). Medical comorbidities in autism: challenges to diagnosis and treatment. Neurotherapeutics,7,320-327.
Ben-Sasson, A., Gal, E., Fluss, R., Katz-Zetler, N., Cermak, S. A. (2019). Update of a meta-analysis of sensory symptoms in ASD: A new decade of research. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49, 4974–4996.
Benson, P. R., & Karlof, K. L. (2009). Anger, stress proliferation, anddepressed mood among parents of children with ASD: A longitudinal replication. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(2), 350–362.
Bilgin, S. & Gozum, S.(2009).  Reducing burnout in mothers with an intellectually disabled child: an education programmer. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(12), 2552-2561.
Bishop, S. L., Richler, J., Cain, A. C., & Lord, C. (2007). Predictors of perceived negative impact in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 112(6), 450-461.
Brehm, S. S., Kassin, S. M., & Fein, S. (2002). Social psychology. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Carter, M., T. & Scherer, S., W. (2013). Autism spectrum disorder in the genetics clinic: a review. Clinical Genetics, 83(5), 399–407.
Cetinbakis, G., Bastug, G., &Ozel-Kizil, E. T. (2020). Factors contributing to higher caregiving burden in Turkish mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 66(1), 46-53.
Christensen, D. L., Braun, K. , Baio, J., Bilder, D., Charles, J., Constantino, J. N., Daniels, J., Durkin, M. S., Fitzgerald, R. T., Kurzius-Spencer, M., Lee, L. C., Pettygrove, S., Robinson, C., Schulz, E., Wells, C., Wingate, M. S., Zahorodny, W., Yeargin-Allsopp, M., & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2016). Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 sites, United States, 2012. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 65(3), 1-23.
Cidav, Z., Marcus, S.C., Mandell, D.S. (2012). Implications of childhood autism for parental employment and earnings. Pediatrics,129,617–23.
Cohrs, A.C., & Leslie, D.L. (2017). Depression in parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: A claims-based analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities,47, 1416–1422.
Dawson, G. & Burner, K. 2011. Behavioral interventions in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A review of recent findings. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 23, 616-620.
Duarte, C. S., Bordin, I. A., Yazigi, L., & Mooney, J. (2005). Factors associated with stress in mothers of children with autism. Autism, 9, 416–427.
Dyrbye, L. N., Burke, S. E., Hardeman, R. R., Herrin, J., Wittlin, N. M., Yeazel, M., ... & Van Ryn, M. (2018). Association of clinical specialty with symptoms of burnout and career choice regret among US resident physicians. Journal of the American Medical Association, 320(11), 1114-1130.
De Rubeis, S., & Buxbaum, J. D. (2015). Recent advances in the genetics of autism spectrum disorder. Current neurology and neuroscience reports, 15(6), 36.
Farrugia, D. (2009). Exploring stigma: Medical knowledge and the stigmatization of parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Sociology of Health & Illness, 31, 1011–1027.
Field, T. (2002). Prenatal effects of maternal depression. In S. H. Goodman and I. H. Gotlieb (Eds.), Children of depressed parents: Mechanisms of risk and implications for treatment (pp. 59–88). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Fiske, K. E. (2009). A cross-sectional study of patterns of renewed stress among parents of children with autism. Rutgers: State University of New Jersey – New Brunswick.
Floris, D. L., Barber, A. D., Nebel, M. B., Martinelli, M., Lai, M.-C., Crocetti, D., Baron-Cohen, S., Suckling, J., Pekar, J. J., & Mostofsky, S. H. (2016). Atypical lateralization of motor circuit functional connectivity in children with autism is associated with motor deficits. Molecular Autism, 7(1), 35.
Fombonne, E.(2009). Epidemiology of pervasive developmental disorders. Pediatric Research, 65(6), 591–598.
Gérain, P. and Zech, E. (2008). Does informal caregiving lead to parental burnout? Comparing parents having (or not) children with mental and physical issues. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 884.
Geschwind, D. H. (2011). Genetics of autism spectrum disorders. Trends in cognitive sciences, 15(9), 409-416.
Haimour, A. I., & Obaidat, Y. F. (2013). School teachers' knowledge about autism in Saudi Arabia. World Journal of Education, 3(5), 45-56.
Hartley, S. L., Barker, E. T., Seltzer, M. M., Floyd, F., Greenberg, J., Orsmond, G., et al. (2010). The relative risk and timing of divorce in families of children with an autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Family Psychology, 24, 449–457.
Hastings, R. P., Kovshoff, H., Ward, N. J., Espinosa, F., Brown, T., & Remington, B. (2005). Systems analysis of stress and positive perceptions in mothers and fathers of pre-school children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 35(5), 635-644.
Hecimovic, A., & Gregory, S. (2005) The evolving role, impact, and needs of families. In D. Zager (Ed.), Autism spectrum disorders: identification, education and treatment. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Hill, A. P., & Curran, T. (2016). Multidimensional perfectionism and burnout: a meta-analysis. Personality and Social Psychology Review20, 269–288.
Hinds, E., Jones, L. B., Gau, J. M., Forrester, K. K., & Biglan, A. (2015). Teacher distress and the role of experiential avoidance. Psychology in the Schools, 52, 284-297.
Hollander, E., Kolevzon, A., & Coyle, J.T. (Eds.). (2011). Textbook of autism spectrum disorders (pp.149–153). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Huang, C., Yen, H., Tseng, M., Tung, L., Chen, Y. & Chen, K. (2014). Impacts of autistic behaviors, emotional and behavioral problems on parenting stress in caregivers of children with Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(6), 1383–1390.
Jara, M., Aitziber, P., Susana, C. & Sonia, M. (2021). The Relationship Between Body and Appearance-Related Self-conscious Emotions and Disordered Eating: The Mediating Role of Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety. International Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy, 21(1), 93-105.
Karahmadi, M.; Karimi, P.; Kamali, E.; Mousavi, S.M. (2017). Environmental factors influencing the risk of autism. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 22, 27.
Konstantareas, M. M., &Homatidis, S. (1989). Assessing child symptom severity and stress in parents of autistic children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 30,459–470.
Kowalkowski, J. D. (2012). The impact of a group-based acceptance and commitment therapy intervention on parents of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Doctoral Dissertation, Submitted to the Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University.
Koydemir, S. ve Tosun, Ü. (2009). Impact of autistic children on the lives of mothers. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1, 2534-2540.
Kuhn, J. & Carter, A. (2006). Maternal self- efficacy and associated parenting cognitions among mothers of children with autism. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 76(4), 564-575.
Kwiatkowski, P., & Sekulowicz, M. (2017). Examining the relationship of individual resources and burnout in mothers of children with disabilities. International Journal of Special Education, 32(4), 823-841.
Lam, J.; Sutton, P.; Kalkbrenner, A.; Windham, G.; Halladay, A.; Koustas, E.; Lawler, C.; Davidson, L.; Daniels, N.; Newschaffer, C.; et al. (2016). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Multiple Airborne Pollutants and Autism Spectrum Disorder. PLoS ONE, 11, e0161851.
Lamminen, L. (2008). Family functioning and social support in parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 0519(0102).
Lindström, C., Åman, J., & Lindhal-Norberg, A. (2011). Parental burnout in relation to sociodemographic, psychosocial and personality factors as well as disease duration and glycemic control in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Acta Paediatrica100, 1011–1017.
Lord, C., Elsabbagh, M., Baird, G., & Veenstra-Vanderweele, J. (2018). Autism spectrum disorder. The Lancet, 392(10146), 508-520.
Marsack, C. N., & Perry, T. E. (2018). Aging in place in every community: Social exclusion experiences of parents of adult children with autism spectrum disorder. Research on Aging, 40(6), 535–557.
Maslach, C., Schaufeli, W. B., & Leiter, M. P. (2001). Job burnout. Annual review of psychology, 52(1), 397-422.
McClintock, K., Hall, S., & Oliver, C. (2003). Risk markers associated with challenging behaviors in people with intellectual disabilities: a meta-analytic study. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 47(6),405–416.
Mei, S., Hu, Y., Sun, M., Fei, J., Li, C., Liang, L. & Hu, Y. (2021). Association between bullying victimization and symptoms of depression among adolescents: a moderated mediation analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(6),1-12.
Mikolajczak, M., Gross, J., & Roskam, I. (2019). Parental burnout: what is it and why does it matter?. Clinical Psychological Science7, 1319–1329.
Miller, M., Chukoskie, L., Zinni, M., Townsend, J., & Trauner, D. (2014). Dyspraxia, motor function and visual–motor integration in autism. Behavioral Brain Research, 269, 95–102.
Mugno, D., Ruta, L., D'Arrigo, V., & Mazzone, L. (2007). Impairment of quality of life in parents of children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorder. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 5(1), 22.
Nguyen, C., Fairclough, D. & Noll, R. (2015). Problem-solving skills training for mothers of children recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot feasibility study.  Autism, 20(1), 55-64.
Noushad, P. (2008). From Teacher Burnout to Student Burnout. Farook Training College, Calicut, Kerala, India.
Omar, A., Kraishan, O.  & Salah, R., S. (2015). Level of Psychological Burnout of a Sample of Secondary Phase Teachers in Ma'an Governorate and Its Relationship with Some Other Variables. International Education Studies,8(6), 56-68.
Picardi, A., Gigantesco, A., Tarolla, E., Stoppioni, V.,  Cerbo, R., Cremonte, M.,Alessandri, G., Lega, I., & Nardocci, F. (2018). Parental Burden and its Correlates in Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Multicenter Study with Two Comparison Groups. Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health, 14(1),143–76.
Pisula, E. 2011. Parenting stress in mother and father of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In M-R. Mohammadi (Eds), A comprehensive book on Autism Spectrum Disorder (87-106). New York: Intech Publishers.
Reb, J., Narayanan, J., Chaturvedi, S., & Ekkirala, S. (2017). The mediating role of emotional exhaustion in the relationship of mindfulness with turnover intentions and job performance. Mindfulness, 8(3), 707–716.
Riahi, F.,  Khajeddin, N.,  Izadi,  M.,T Eshrat, T. & Naghdi , N. (2007). The effect of supportive and cognitive-behavior group therapy on mental health and irrational believes of mothers of autistic children. Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal, 10 (675), 637-645.
Roskam, I., Brianda, M.-E., & Mikolajczak, M. (2018). A step forward in the conceptualization and measurement of parental burnout: the parental burnout Assessment (PBA). Frontiers of Psychology, 9, 1–12.
Roskam, I., Raes, M. & Mikolajczak, M. (2017). Exhausted parents: development and preliminary validation of the parental burnout inventory. Frontiers in Psychology,8, 1-12.
Şahin, E., ÖZ , A. , Singin, H. &DÜZ, S. (2020). The Effects of Recreational Activities on Depressive Symptoms and Burnout Level of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. International Journal of Disabilities Sports & Health Science, 3(2),74-82.
Sandin, S.; Lichtenstein, P.; Kuja-Halkola, R.; Larsson, H.; Hultman, C.M.; Reichenberg, A. (2014). The familial risk of autism. Journal of the American Medical Association, 311, 1770–1777.
Schaufeli, W. B., & Bakker, A. B. (2004). Job demands, job resources, and their relationship with burnout and engagement: A multi-sample study. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 25, 293-437.
Serrata, C.A. 2012. Psychosocial Aspects of Parenting a Child with Autism. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling ,43(4), 29-36.
Sharoon, A. & Dorard, G. & Wendland J. (2018). Maternal Burnout Syndrome; Contextual and Psychological Associated Factors. Frontiers in Psychology, 9 (885), 1-12.
Springer, P. E., van Toorn, R., Laughton, B., Kidd, M. (2013). Characteristics of children with pervasive developmental disorders attending a developmental clinic in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. South African Journal of Child Health, 7(3), 95–99.
Swaab, L., McCormack, L., & Campbell, L. E. (2017). Distress and psychological growth in parenting an adult child with autism spectrum disorder and aggression. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 1(4), 260–270.
Szczygiel, D. D., & Mikolajczak, M. (2018). Emotional intelligence buffers the effects of negative emotions on job burnout in nursing. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1-10.
Thompson, N. (2015). People skills. Macmillan International Higher Education. London.
Tina, M. (2008). Teacher Stress and Burnout and the Role of physical Activity and parent Involvement. A Thesis, Submitted in partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts in psychology Department of psychology. Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Connecticut.
Turner, L. M., Stone, W. L., Pozdol, S. L., & Coonrod, E. E. (2006). Follow-up of children with autism spectrum disorders from age 2 to age 9. Autism, 10(3), 243–265.
Uljarevic, M., & Hamilton, A. (2013). Recognition of emotions in autism: A formal meta-analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 1517–1526.
Walker, E., McGee, R., &Druss, B. (2015). Mortality in mental disorders and global disease burden implications: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 72, 334–341.
Watkins, M. B., Ren, R., Umphress, E. E., Boswell, W. R., Triana, M. D. C., Zardkoohi, E. E., et al. (2014). Compassion organizing: employees’ satisfaction with corporate philanthropic disaster response and reduced job strain. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 88, 436–458.
World Bank. (2017). World development indicators: population dynamics. Washington DC: The World Bank.
Zablotsky, B., Anderson, C., & Law, P. (2013). The association between child autism symptomatology, maternal quality of life, and risk for depression. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders,43(8), 1946-1955.
Zaidman-Zait, A., Mirenda, P., Duku, E., Vaillancounrt T., Smith, I. M., Szatmari, P., Bryson, S., Fombonne, E., Volden, J., Waddell, C., Zwaigenbaum, L., Georgiades, S., Bennett, T., Elsabaggh. M., & Thompson, A. (2017). Impact of personal and social resources on parenting stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 21(2), 155- 166.