Percieved stres level andquality of lifeinparents of children whith Autism Spectrum Disorder during COVID 19 pandemic: The role of soscio demographic variables

The aim of this study is to investigate associations between perceived stress level and quality of life in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder during Covid 19 pandemic; and to detect relationships between perceived stress level, quality of life and sociodemographic variables and changes in daily routines and access to educational activities (ASD) due to the pandemic. The study included 150 children with ASD aged between 3-12 (122 boys, 28 girls) and their parents (133 mother, 17 father). The data was collected by using the Quality of Life in Autism Questionnaire (QoLA) for parents and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). According to the results of this study there was a positive correlation between PSS total scores (r=.248, p<0.01), Perceived Stress (r=.226, p<0.01) and Perceived Coping (r=.245, p<0.01) subscales scoresand QoLA impact of ASD symptoms subscale scores. There was a negative correlation between PSS total scores (r=-.281, p<0.01), Perceived Stress (r=-.277, p<0.01) and Perceived Coping (r=-.242, p<0.01)scales scores and QoLA quality of life subscale scores. QoLA quality of life subscale scores were lower in separated parents. QoLA impact of ASD symptoms subscale scores were higher in parents of children with behavioral problems prior to the pandemic, in parents of children with interruptions in psychiatric appointments, and parents of children with deterioration in self-care skills during the pandemic. PSS total and subscale scores were higher in separated parents. PSS total and subscales scores were higher in parents from families with father's unemployment prior to the pandemic. PSS (perceived stress subscale) scores were lower in parents from families with lower paternal educational level. PSS total and perceived coping subscale scores were higher in parents having a second child with ASD. PSS perceived coping subscale scores were higher in parents feeling that pandemic restrictions had a negative impact on their life. PSS total, and subscales scores were higher in parents of children with deterioration in self-care skills during the pandemic.