IMPACT OF PARENTAL STRESS AND PARENTAL SELF-EFFICACY ON MENTAL HEALTH: ROLE OF COPING STRATEGIES AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Yousaf Iqra; Atta Mohsin

Authors

Iqra Yousaf MPhil Scholar Psychology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan (Corresponding Author). , University of Sargodha
Dr Mohsin Atta Assistant Professor Psychology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. , University of Sargodha

Keywords:

Mental Health; Parental Stress; Parental Self-Efficacy; Social Support; Coping Strategies.

Abstract

This study will investigate the relationship between parental stress, parental self-efficacy, and mental health. The moderating role of coping strategies and the mediating role of social support will be explored between these variables. The study will utilize a correlational survey research design. Data will be collected from a total of (N = 150) Parents of children with ASD by using a purposive sampling technique. Autism Parenting Stress Scale, Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale and Family Empowerment Scale will be administered on the participants for measuring parental stress, parental self-efficacy, social support, mental health and coping strategies, respectively. For finding the correlation between variables, Pearson correlation analysis will be used. Moreover, for finding the prediction, regression analysis for mediation of coping strategies will be used. Furthermore, moderation analysis will be used for finding the relationship of social support between parental stress, parental self-efficacy and mental health. This study emphasizes the impact of parental stress and self-efficacy on the mental health of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The findings indicate that effective coping strategies and strong social support significantly reduce psychological distress and enhance parental well-being, highlighting their protective role in promoting positive mental health outcomes.

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