Examination of perceived stress levels and coping strategies of parents with a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the pandemic process

In this study, the aim is determining and comparing the relationship between perceived stress levels and coping strategies during the pandemic process of parents who has children with autism spectrum disorder and normally developing children. The research has been made on during the covid-19 process 128 parents who have between 0-18 years old children with autism and 79 parents who have normally developing children. Sociodemographic Information Form, Perceived Stress Level Scale and Coping Strategies Short Form were applied to the participants. According to findings we can see that parents of children with autism were perception of inadequate/self-efficacy scores significantly higher, they used denial and substance use coping strategies more. Furthermore, the stress level of mothers who have children with autism was significantly higher than fathers. A significant positive relationship was found with perceived stress and focusing and revealing emotions (r=.327. p<.01), behavioral disinterest (r=.380. p<.01), self-limitation (r=.222. p<.05). A significant negative relationship was found with positive reinterpretation (r=-.224. p<.05) and planning (r=-.245. p<.01).