Depression-Anxiety Symptoms and Stigma Perception in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: In our study, the effect of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on the internalized stigma perception, symptoms of depression and anxiety and the quality of life is investigated in the mothers of children with this disorder.

METHODS: Our research includes 69 patients who applied to Dicle University Medical School Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department polyclinic between April 20-December 25, 2017 and were followed-up at least 6 months with ASD diagnosis. Socio-demographic data form assessing the personal and familial characteristics of the patients were filled out by the clinician. Patients' mothers were applied Beck Depression Scale (BDS), Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS), Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) Scale and Autism Quality of Life Questionnaire - Parent Version (AQoLQPV).

RESULTS: Of the 69 patients participated in the study, 58 patients were boys (84%) and 11 patients were girls (16%) and the mean age was 4,5±1,3 years. Perception of internalized stigma, depression and anxiety symptoms of the patients' mothers were detected as moderate. Patients' mothers' quality of life and life satisfaction score were found to be low. A significant positive relationship was found between the internalized stigma perception and the symptoms of anxiety and depression. A significant positive correlation was detected between the anxiety symptoms and the depression symptoms. A significant negative relationship was found between internalized stigma perception, symptoms of anxiety and depression and mother quality of life sub-scale, sub-scale of how the autism-specific challenges are perceived as problems by the parents and life satisfaction score.

CONCLUSION: With this study it was detected that as the education level of the mothers of the children followed-up with autism diagnosis increased, their internalized stigma perception decreased. It was demonstrated that there was a significant positive relationship between the internalized stigma perception and the symptoms of anxiety and depression in mothers. It was also detected that as the mothers' internalized stigma perception increased, their quality of life decreased. Investigating the internalized stigma perception, symptoms of anxiety-depression and quality of life of the mothers of the children diagnosed with autism, our study emphasizes the necessity for handling these problems.