Stress, quality of life and burnout level in parents of children with autism educating in Trabzon

Object: Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder which is the most common and which effects the life of child and family in the worst way. The family?s social life, family relationship, economic level, and health is effected negatively because of children?s autism. It should be important to know about problems that families have to help them by giving psychological and educational support. The aim of this study is to compare the parents who have an autistic child according to ?quality of life?, ?burnout level? and ?level of stress? with parents who have children without autism.Method: The sample of the research was consistent of 35 mothers and fathers whose children have autism going to school and rehabilitation center. Twenty-one parents of children who have autism and going only rehabilitation center and 40 parents of children going to regular school without autism.For data collection, a questionnaire consisting of 17 question to solicit the personal information, Family Stres Scale, Quality of Life Scale and Family Burnout Inventory were used.Results: Parents of children without autism had highers scores than parents with autism on all total and subscales. There is only difference on the level of functioning subscle of Quality of Life Scale between parents of autistic children going to school and not going to school. Parents of children with not going to school had higher score than the parents of children going to school.Conclusion: Parents children with autism have higher burnout and stress levels and lower quality of life than the parents with children without autism.