Demographic Characteristics, Coping Strategies and Parents with Autistic Children in Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue VII, July 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Demographic Characteristics, Coping Strategies and Parents with Autistic Children in Nigeria

Christiana Omone Bose MAKINDE¹, Olanrewaju Seun ADEGBITE², Titilayo OLAYODE³, Mercy OMOZUSI⁴

^1,2,3,4Department of Social Work and Human Services, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State Nigeria

Abstract: Primary caregivers of children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder carry the larger burden of care and they may feel a need to be with their child at all times so they experience stress, related to coping with the heavy load of care giving. The study assessed the relationship between the demographic characteristics of parents of autistic children and the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (F-COPES). The study employed a cross-sectional design. The respondents comprised of all the parents of autistic children at the autism centres. The parents demographic characteristics assessed are age, level of education, religion and marital status. Therefore four null hypotheses were generated and T-Test was used to analyse the relationship between the family oriented evaluation scale and the demographic characteristics. The results revealed that for the null hypothesis of no significant relationship between utilization of FCOPES and respondents age, the calculated p-value and r revealed 0.215 > 0.05 and -0.156< 1 respectively. Therefore the null hypothesis is upheld. Conclusively the study found no association between the demographic characteristics and the utilization of the family oriented evaluation scale. The implication being that regardless of the differences in the respondents’ demographic characteristics, parents of autistic children can benefits from the use of reframing, passive appraisal, spiritual support, and mobilizing social support in child care.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, FCOPES, reframing, passive appraisal, social support

I. INTRODUCTION

National institute of mental health (2016) defined Autism spectrum disorder as a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes a wide range of symptoms, skills and levels of disabilities. People or children with autistic spectrum disorder are characterized by repetitive behaviors, difficulties in communicating and interacting with others, inability to function well at school and also inability to cope with other areas of life. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an ailment associated with the development of the brain, with symptoms such as inadequacy in communication and the presence of restricted and monotonous behaviours and interests (McPartland, Reichow & Volkmar 2012; Volkmar, & Pelphrey 2014).

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