Relationship between Disorder Severity, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Coping Strategies as a Mediator

Abstract Purpose Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder leads to psychological distress and has a significant impact on the quality of life of parents. The present study was conducted to assess the mediating role of coping strategies in managing psychological distress and improving the quality of life in parents of children with autism. Method An analysis based on a descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted in various autism centers and special education centers of District Punjab. The study involved 266 parents (133 mothers and 133 fathers), recruited via purposive sampling. Data collection was completed by using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS-2), Brief COPE, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and WHO-QOL Brief. Results Pearson correlation analysis revealed that ASD Severity is significantly correlated with psychological distress, quality of life, avoidant coping, and approach coping. Mediation pathway analysis showed that avoidant coping partially mediates the relationship between severity levels, quality of life and psychological distress overall for fathers and mothers of children and fathers of children, but does not mediate for mothers of children. Approach coping partially mediates the relationship between severity levels, quality of life, and psychological distress among fathers and mothers of children. The t-test showed that the difference in quality of life and coping approach is significantly higher in fathers of children as compared to mothers. Conclusion Findings concluded that effective use of coping strategies helps reduce psychological distress and enhances the quality of life for parents.