Determining caregiving burden for mothers of children with autism diagnosis and affecting factors

Determining Caregiving Burden For Mothers of Children With Autism Diagnosis and Affecting Factors This study is determined to analyze caregiving burden for mothers of children with autism diagnosis and affecting factors.This study is discriptive and cross-sectional study. The research population group is consisted of mothers of children with autism diagnosis who are monitored by a private educational institute in Avcılar, İstanbul. The sample group included 92 mothers who have an autistic child within age group of 0-18 and agreed to participate in the study. The research data was gathered in between August 1st – September 15th 2015 by using Zarit Burden Interview Scale and creating socio-demographic form through scanning related literature. As a result of research; numbers and percentage, was used for specifications by transferring gathered data to SPSS 22.0 software. The mean scores of mother care burden between socio-demographic characteristics In the analysis of test was used Kruskal Wallis, Mann Whitney U test and significance test between two means. It is determined by evaluating the data that caregiving burden has increased for mothers of children with autism diagnosis in correlation with mothers' ages, incomes, health issues, time after autism diagnosis, existence of health issues other than autism, and child's autism level (p<0.05). On the other hand, it is found that mother's education and occupation, marital status, social security and sense of health, family type, knowledge on autism, and having an assistant for care were irrelevant to caregiving burden (p>0.05). The major issues for mothers on caregiving were listed as financial issues caused by education expenses, troubles on behavioral control caused by repetitive and obsessed behaviors along with incapability of communication and social skills which were observed in case of autism, and inability communicate with the child. Also, travelling with the child by using public transportation causes trouble hence the child's behaviors. Mothers also addressed issues on insufficient time for both child and other family members, along with insufficient time caused by their work. They also mentioned that they do not have time for themselves due to insufficient time. Child's dependency and mothers' psychological fatigue are listed along mothers' issues as well. In accordance with gathered results, pediatric nurse's aim on autism should be focused on improving speaking and social skills, reducing behavioral issues, supporting and educating the family, child, and caregiving mothers. Nurses, by undertaking many functions, will be essential on reducing caregiving burden for mothers. Keywords: Autism, Caregiver, Caregiving Burden, Nurse, Child