The Effect of Psychosocial Program on Stress and Coping Strategies among Parents Having Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Back ground: Autism is is an early neurodevelopmental disorder, which severely affects both parents and children, this disorder imposes great physical, mental, and social pressures on families, particularly parents, and affects various dimensions of their lives . Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of psychosocial program on stress and coping strategies among parents having children with autism spectrum disorder. Design: Quasi experimental design (pre - post-test) was utilized in the study. Setting: The study was conducted at psychiatry outpatient clinic in Fayoum General Hospital. Sample: convenience sample of (60) from parents having children with autism included in the study. Data collection tools: Data were obtained through three tools; I: A Structured Questionnaire sheet consists of three parts: socio-demographic characteristics about parent, socio-demographic data about child, and Knowledge assessment questionnaire, II: Parent stress scale (PSS). III: Coping Strategies Scale. Results: the study result revealed that there was highly statistically significant improvement after program implementation regarding levels of knowledge, levels of stress and levels of Coping Strategies among parents having children with autism. Conclusion: Psychosocial program has positive effect on knowledge, stress and enhance coping strategies among studied parents after program implementation. Recommendations: Conducting further researches on large study sample size in different areas to generalize the results. Also regular assessment and monitoring of the studied family care givers' strains and coping.