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Depression and burden among caregivers of children with autistic spectrum disorder
Insights
This study found a low prevalence of depression and severe burden among caregivers of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Factors like patient communication issues and repetitive behaviors were linked to caregiver burden.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Psychiatry
- Caregiver Health
Background:
- Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) significantly impacts families, particularly caregivers.
- Understanding caregiver mental health and burden is crucial for effective support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of depression and burden in caregivers of children with ASD.
- To identify factors associated with caregiver depression and burden.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional descriptive study involving 51 caregivers of children with ASD.
- Utilized questionnaires, including the CES-D scale and a burden interview.
- Patient data obtained from treating child psychiatrists and developmental pediatricians.
Main Results:
- Depression prevalence was 5.9%; most caregivers reported low to moderate burden.
- Significant positive correlation found between caregiver depression and burden (p=0.012).
- Caregiver burden associated with time since diagnosis, patient problem severity, daily hours spent with patient, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Caregivers of children with ASD exhibit low rates of depression and severe burden.
- Key factors influencing caregiver burden include time post-diagnosis, patient challenges, and time commitment.
- Patient's communication problems and repetitive behaviors are significant contributors to caregiver burden.
Objective:
To study depression prevalence and burden among caregivers of children with autistic spectrum disorder and the related factors.
Material And Method:
This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Measures included questionnaires, CES-D and burden interview. Patients' diagnoses andfunctions were obtainedfrom childpsychiatrists and developmental pediatricians responsible for the patients.
Results:
There were 51 participants. The depression prevalence was 5.9%. Concerning the burden, 45.1% ofthe participants reported little or no burden, and 45.1% reported mild to moderate burden. Only 7.8% and 2.0% experienced moderate to severe and severe burdens, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between depression and burden (p = 0.012). Significant correlations were also observed between burden and months after diagnosed, the number ofpatient' problems and the number of hours that caregiver spent with patient per day. Moreover the burden was significantly associated with patient's communication problems and patient's inappropriate odd repetitive behaviors (p<0. 05).
Conclusion:
The prevalence of depression in and severe burden on caregivers of autistic childrenfrom the present study was low. Factors related to the burden were months after diagnosed, the number of patient's problems, the number of hours that caregiver spent with patient, patient's communication problems and inappropriate or odd repetitive behaviors.
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