Psychological Stress in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between parents' educational level, child's birth order within the family, and family size with psychological stress in parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Parents of children with ASD were recruited through convenience sampling at Hospital (n = 230). The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) assessed psychological stress. Independent-sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results: The average score for the PSS among parents with children diagnosed with ASD was 19.83±6.13. Parents with higher educational attainment reported lower psychological stress compared to those with lower degrees. Parents of firstborn children diagnosed with ASD experienced greater stress than parents of children diagnosed later. Parents with one child with ASD reported higher stress compared to parents with two or three children. No significant difference in stress levels was observed between mothers and fathers. Conclusion: This study highlights the influence of educational level, child's birth order, and family size on parental stress in families with ASD children. These findings inform the development of targeted support strategies to create a more supportive environment for families coping with ASD.