The mediator role of parenting stress in the effect of stigmatization on burnout in parents of children with autism: A structural equality model

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to report on the mediator role of parenting stress in the effect of stigmatization on burnout in parents of children with autism.

Design and methods

A descriptive and correlational research design was used in this study. The sample consisted of 146 parents who had children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and volunteered to participate in the study. A “Personal Information Form”, the “Parents' Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale”, the “Parenting Stress Scale”, and the “Parental Burnout Assessment” were used for data collection.

Results

In the study, it was observed that the feeling of stigmatization increased as the education level increased and that variables such as the ages of the parent and the child and an increase in the number of children requiring care also affected the feeling of stigmatization. Parenting stress was found to have a “partial mediator” role in the effect of stigmatization on parental burnout.

Conclusion

Our findings emphasized the heterogeneous correlation between stigmatization, burnout, and stress levels of parents of children with autism.

Practice implications

This study has key implications for pediatric nursing practices. Pediatric nurses can educate the community about autism, what issues should be considered, and how to support parents. Furthermore, nurses can introduce parents who have children with autism to each other and direct them to parent-child activities that can regulate their moods.