Parenting stress and psychological distress among mothers of children with autism in Johor Bahru and Hangzhou

Abstract

This study compared the parenting stress and psychological distress among mothers of children with autism in preschools and elementary schools from Johor Bahru and Hangzhou, as well as identified the significant factors associated with parenting stress and psychological distress. A total of 128 mothers comprised of 64 from Johor Bahru, Malaysia and 64 from Hangzhou, China involved in this study. Three instruments were used for data collection, namely the Childhood Autism Rating Scale Modified for Parents (CARS-P), Parental Stress Scale (PSS), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Results of the t-tests showed that mothers of children in Hangzhou with preschool children experienced a significant higher level of parenting stress and psychological distress compared to the mothers in Johor Bahru. No significant difference between parenting stress and psychological distress was found between mothers of elementary children in Johor Bahru and Hangzhou. No significant difference was found in parenting stress and psychological distress among mothers in Johor Bahru. For mothers of children in different age groups in Hangzhou, there was a significant higher level of parenting stress among mothers of preschool children than those with elementary school children. Analysis on factors influencing parenting stress and psychological distress in Johor Bahru and Hangzhou showed that for parenting stress, mothers’ perceived autism symptoms and spousal relationship were the cross cultural factors. For psychological distress, the cross cultural factor was spousal relationship. There was a significant correlation between parenting stress and psychological distress among three groups of mothers except the mothers of elementary school children in Johor Bahru. The results portrayed the possibility of environmental influence that may need further research. Keywords: Parenting Stress, Psychological Distress, Autism, Mothers