The role of coping strategies and self-effi cacy as predictors of life satisfaction in a sample of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder
Author
Luque Salas, Bárbara
Yáñez Rodríguez, Virginia
Tabernero Urbieta, Carmen
Cuadrado, Esther
Publisher
Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos del Principado de AsturiasDate
2017Subject
AutismSelf-efficacy
Coping strategies
Life satisfaction
Parents
METS:
Mostrar el registro METSPREMIS:
Mostrar el registro PREMISMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: This research aims to understand the role of coping
strategies and self-effi cacy expectations as predictors of life satisfaction
in a sample of parents of boys and girls diagnosed with autistic spectrum
disorder. Methods: A total of 129 parents (64 men and 65 women)
answered a questionnaire on life-satisfaction, coping strategies and self effi cacy scales. Results: Using a regression model, results show that the
age of the child is associated with a lower level of satisfaction in parents.
The results show that self-effi cacy is the variable that best explains the
level of satisfaction in mothers, while the use of problem solving explains
a higher level of satisfaction in fathers. Men and women show similar
levels of life satisfaction; however signifi cant differences were found in
coping strategies where women demonstrated higher expressing emotions
and social support strategies than men. Conclusions: The development of
functional coping strategies and of a high level of self-effi cacy represents
a key tool for adapting to caring for children with autism. Our results
indicated the necessity of early intervention with parents to promote
coping strategies, self-effi cacy and high level of life satisfaction.