Moms of Kids with Autism: Stress, Coping, and Seeking Help in Turkey

Research shows that moms with kids who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often feel depressed and hesitate to look for professional psychological help. A study in Istanbul, Turkey, delved into how these moms handle stress, and if their coping strategies affect their willingness to seek help. The study, involving 250 moms of kids with autism, found that depression was linked to certain coping methods. Moms who were depressed tended to use problem-focused coping and were less likely to look for professional help.Interestingly, the way moms coped seemed to influence whether they sought help. For instance, those who used avoidant coping were more open to seeking help. The study also showed that how moms dealt with problems played a role in their decision to seek help. This suggests that future programs should consider how moms handle their own feelings and the challenges of caring for a child with autism.