Volume : 11, Issue : 4, APR 2025

ASSESSMENT OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND STRESS AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER USING DASS-42

ANU RATHORE, DR. ARPITA KACHAR

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neuro developmental condition that imposes significant emotional, social, and psychological demands not only on affected children but also on their parents, who often serve as primary caregivers. Parents of children with ASD frequently experience prolonged caregiving stress, social stigma, financial strain, and uncertainty regarding their child’s future, placing them at increased risk of mental health problems. The present study aims to assess the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, India, using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-42 (DASS-42).

A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed. The study sample consisted of 100 parents (mothers and fathers) of children clinically diagnosed with ASD, selected through purposive sampling from special schools, therapy centers, and pediatric clinics. Data were collected using a socio-demographic information schedule and the standardized DASS-42 scale. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS and included descriptive statistics, severity classification, independent samples t-tests, and Pearson correlation analysis.

The findings revealed that a substantial proportion of parents experienced moderate to extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, with stress emerging as the most pronounced psychological domain. Mothers reported significantly higher levels of distress than fathers across all three dimensions. Strong positive correlations were observed among depression, anxiety, and stress. The study underscores the urgent need for routine mental health screening, counseling, and psychosocial support services for parents of children with ASD. Integrating caregiver mental health into autism care programs is essential for improving overall family functioning and child outcomes.

Article : Download PDF

Cite This Article

IESRJ

International Educational Scientific Research Journal

E-ISSN: 2455-295X

International Indexed Journal | Multi-Disciplinary Refereed Research Journal

ISSN: 2455-295X

Peer-Reviewed Journal - Equivalent to UGC Approved Journal

Peer-Reviewed Journal

Article No : 19

Number of Downloads : 97

References

1. Abidin, R. R. (1992). The determinants of parenting behavior. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 21(4), 407–412.
https://doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp2104_12

2. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). APA.

3. Benson, P. R. (2014). Coping and psychological adjustment among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(6), 1234–1247.

4. Bitsika, V., & Sharpley, C. F. (2017). Stress, anxiety and depression among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26(2), 430–441.

5. Daley, T. C., Singhal, N., Krishnamurthy, V., & Volker, M. A. (2013). Ethical considerations in conducting research on autism spectrum disorders in low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(9), 2002–2014.

6. Davis, N. O., & Carter, A. S. (2008). Parenting stress in mothers and fathers of toddlers with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(7), 1278–1291.

7. Estes, A., Munson, J., Dawson, G., Koehler, E., Zhou, X. H., & Abbott, R. (2009). Parenting stress and psychological functioning among mothers of preschool children with autism and developmental delay. Autism, 13(4), 375–387.

8. Gray, D. E. (2003). Gender and coping: The parents of children with high functioning autism. Social Science & Medicine, 56(3), 631–642.

9. Gupta, A., & Singhal, N. (2020). Psychological stress among parents of children with autism in India. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 42(4), 357–363.

10. Hayes, S. A., & Watson, S. L. (2013). The impact of parenting stress: A meta-analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(3), 629–642.

11. Henry, J. D., & Crawford, J. R. (2005). The short-form version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21): Construct validity and normative data. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 44(2), 227–239.

12. Karst, J. S., & Van Hecke, A. V. (2012). Parent and family impact of autism spectrum disorders: A review and proposed model for intervention evaluation. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 15(3), 247–277.

13. Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Psychology Foundation.

14. Olsson, M. B., & Hwang, C. P. (2001). Depression in mothers and fathers of children with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 45(6), 535–543.

15. Padden, C., & James, J. E. (2017). Stress among parents of children with and without autism spectrum disorder: A comparison involving physiological indicators and parent self-reports. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 29(4), 567–586.

16. Seltzer, M. M., Greenberg, J. S., Floyd, F. J., Pettee, Y., & Hong, J. (2010). Life course impacts of parenting a child with a disability. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 115(6), 502–514.

17. World Health Organization. (2023). Autism spectrum disorders. WHO.