Attachment and defense mechanism in mothers with 0-6 years old child with autism, the relationship between alexithimia and feelings of guilt and shame

The aim of this study is to examine whether the relationship between affiliation, alexithymia, defense mechanisms, and guilt and shame levels of mothers with children 0-6 age group with autism differ significantly. The research study group consists of 140 mothers who have a child diagnosed with autism between the ages of 0-6. Sociodemographic Data Form, Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, Defense Styles Inventory, Guilt and Shame Scale and Toronto Alexithymia Scale were used as data collection tools in the research. There is a positive correlation between the anxious attachment style and alexithymia sub-dimensions of mothers who have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the 0-6 age group. In other words, it was found that as the anxious attachment levels of the mothers increased, the levels of emotion recognition difficulties increased. There is a significant relationship between mothers' anxious attachment style, immature and neurotic defense levels, and a positive relationship is observed. There is a positive relationship between mothers' anxious attachment style, shame and guilt sub-dimension levels. Accordingly, as the anxious attachment rate increases, the guilt and shame levels also increase. There is a positive correlation between the avoidance attachment style and alexithymia sub-dimensions of mothers who have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the 0-6 age group. There is a positive correlation between the avoidance attachment style, immature and neurotic defense levels of mothers who have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the 0-6 age group. Finally, there is a positive relationship between the avoidance attachment style, shame and guilt sub-dimension levels of mothers who have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the 0-6 age group, but there is a negative relationship between the avoidance attachment level and the negative behavior evaluations of guilt and guilt repair. According to this result, as the avoidance attachment level increases, the guilt-negative behavior level decreases. Keywords: Alexithymia, defense styles, attachment styles, guilt, shame, autism