Thực trạng ứng phó với cảm xúc lo lắng của cha mẹ có con rối loạn phổ tự kỉ tại khu vực Đông Nam Bộ

Tóm tắt

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has lifelong impacts on many areas of functioning. This study aims to explore the coping strategies used by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in response to anxiety. The research sample consists of 300 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder from six provinces in the Southeastern region of Vietnam. The findings indicate that these parents employ a wide range of coping strategies to manage anxiety. Among them, two adaptive strategies proactive-adaptive coping and seeking social support are the most commonly used. In contrast, spiritual coping, passive-maladaptive coping, and substance use are used less frequently. Statistically significant differences were found between fathers and mothers, as well as between primary and partial caregivers, in how they cope with anxiety. Mothers tend to use more positive strategies such as proactive-adaptive coping and seeking social support, whereas fathers are more likely to resort to substance use. Parents who are the primary caregivers tend to adopt more positive coping strategies, while those who are only partially involved in caregiving are more prone to substancebased coping. These findings form the basis for recommending strategies to improve how parents of children with autism spectrum disorder cope with anxiety.