The analysis of the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress and coping attitudes in the mothers who have children with Autism spectrum disorder and Down Syndrome between the ages of 4 - 24

In this research, it has been aimed to investigate with a controlled study the relationship between depression, anxiety and stress and coping attitudes in the mothers who have children with autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome between the ages of 4-24. It is supposed that the levels of the depression, stress, anxiety and coping attitudes of the mothers of children with autism could be higher than the mothers of the children with Down syndrome. Fifty mothers of children with Down syndrome, 50 mothers of children with autism and 50 mothers of normal children participated in the study voluntarily. Hamilton Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Perceived Stress Scale and Cope Scale were applied to the mothers. The mothers of children with autism, Down syndrome and normal children were investigated. According to the results, the levels of stress, depression, anxiety of mothers who had children with autism were found higher than mothers who has children with Down syndrome and normal children. In addition the difference of the sub-variables of coping strategies between these three groups were examined statistically too. There are some sub-variables of coping styles: positive reinterpretation and growth, mental disengagement, focusing on problems and revelation the feelings, using of beneficial social support, active coping, denial, religious coping, laugh, behavioural disengagement, back stop, emotional social support, substance abuse, acceptance, suppression of other occupations and making plans. The mothers of children with autism have been used more the coping behaviour of mental disengagement and substance abuse than the mothers of children with Down syndrome and normal children.