Parenting stres and childbearing motivations of mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder

This study was conducted to investigate parenting stress and childbearing motivations of mothers of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The research, cross-sectional and analytical, was conducted with 165 mothers having children with ASD, enrolled at Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers and Special Education Practice School between November 2021 and January 2022. Data were collected by face-to-face interview method using Personal Information Form, Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI/SF) and Childbearing Motivations Scale (CMS). Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance and correlation analysis. The mean PSI/SF and positive CMS and negative CMS of the participants were 104.77±23.56, 62.50±20.26, 33.49±12.74, respectively, and it was found that their parenting stress was moderately high and their motivation to have a child was low (p<0.05). The mother's age, education status, sibling rank of the child with ASD, and the effect of ASD on having a child again were among statistically significant predictor of the parenting stress level up to 20.1% (p<0.05). The mother's educational and income status, sibling rank of the child with ASD, and the desire to have a child again were among statistically significant predictor of the positive childbearing motivations level up to 18.7% (p<0.05). It was found that there was statistically significant positive moderate relationship between parenting stress and negative childbearing motivations (r: 0.345; p<0.001). It is recommended to plan training and consultancy services in order to reduce the level of parenting stress and to reach accurate and reliable information about having a child. Keywords: Mothers, Childbearing motivations, Autism spectrum disorder, Stress