Humera Iqbal, Muhammad Akram Riaz, Urwah Ali and Attiqa Mumraiz
Patna University, Patna, Bihar
Parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder is a challenging job for parents. Most
of the research studies were more concerned about the possible causes of autism
spectrum disorder and intervention plans for its management. Factors that influence
their stress, sense of coherence self-efficacy and the role of hope among such parents
are underrepresented in the literature. The purpose of current study is to examine
the factors that influence the sense of coherence and self-efficacy among parents of
children with autism spectrum disorder. For this purpose data was collected from 200
parents (100 fathers, 100 mothers) of children with autism spectrum disorder from
Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The current study was based on cross sectional survey
design. Self-administered and standardized questionnaires were used. Findings of the
study revealed that parental stress has negative effect on sense of coherence, and
self-efficacy of parents. Coping strategies mediated the relationship between parental
stress and sense of coherence and between parental stress and self-efficacy. The
moderating effect of hope was also observed at low level in the relationship between
parental stress with sense of coherence and at high level with self-efficacy. Moreover,
parental stress is observed as similar for both parents and non-significant impact of
gender were observed on parental stress. Findings of the study have implications in
understanding of parental problems and are management b utilizing coping strategies
and hope during parenting practices