The examination of depression, anxiety, hopelessness and the levels of dealing with stress on the mothers having children with otizm spectrum disorder

The goal of this study is to determine the depression, anxiety, hopelessness of the mothers whose children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and to determine the levels of coping with stress and the relationship between these variables. As a result of this goal, the reserarch was carried out by the survey method within the research scanning model. Within the scope of the research the data were collected from 222 mothers whose children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. So as to determine the hopelessness levels of mothers with Autistic children who participated in this study, the Turkish adaptation of " Beck Hopelessness Scale" was used, where as the Turkish adaptation "Beck Anxiety Scale" was used to determine the anxiety levels; and finally to determine the attitudes to cope with stress " Coping with Attitudes Assessment Scale" was used. After collecting the related datas of the research were analyzed and interpreted through statistical program (SPSS). When the findings maintained from the study were examined, a linear low- powerful relationship was found between depression and anxiety, hopelessness in mothers with autistic children. At the same time, a linear low-powerful relationship was found between anxiety and hopelessness in autistic children. In addition, a negative low-powerful relationship was found between depression and anxiety and in the attitudes of mothers with autistic children who are coping with stress. It was determined that the levels of depression, hopelessness and anxiety in single mothers having having autistic children are higher. The levels of depression, anxiety and hopelessness in mothers with autistic children who are coping with stress who at the same time don't consult to a specialist or don' t get an education from an institution are higher than the mothers with autistic children who have received an education from an institution or consulted to a specialist. Eventually, it has been determined that the depression, anxiety and hopelessness levels in the mothers having autistic children ate related to each other. Especially single mothers and mothers who don' t have consultation are affected much more For that reason, it has been suggested that professional services and support groups should be formed for the mothers with autistic children in order to cope with depression, anxiety and hopelessness effectively. The social support and psycho-education which will be received will have positive effects on the spiritual health of the mothers.