Stressors and Coping Strategies among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Ethiopia

Keywords: parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, stress, coping strategies

Abstract

This study investigated the stressors that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (PCASD) experienced and the coping strategies they employed to manage it. Following phenomenological design, focused group discussion (FGD) was employed to collect data. Sixteen parents were drawn using purposive sampling participated. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that challenges related to personal development and building friendship, finding schools for children with autism spectrum disorders (CASD), CASD being non-verbal, and the extent of care and safety the CASD need as major stressors for parents. Mothers of CASD experienced more stress compared to their fathers. PCASD used emotion-focused coping strategies. Implications are highlighted against policy formulations and implementation initiatives.

Author Biographies

Ali Sani Side

Lecturer, Institute of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Dilla University, Ethiopia

R. Sreevalsa Kumar, .

Professor of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Scientific Heritage, Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Ernakulam, Kerala, India

Published
2022-08-23
How to Cite
Side, A. S., & Kumar, R. S. (2022). Stressors and Coping Strategies among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Ethiopia. Bahir Dar Journal of Education, 22(1), 76-96. Retrieved from http://journals.bdu.edu.et/index.php/bje/article/view/1027
Issue
Vol. 22 No. 1 (2022)
Section
Articles

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