Family Functioning and Coping Behaviors among Parents of Children with Autism: The case of Joy and Nehemiah Centers

Woldemichael, Abel (2015) Family Functioning and Coping Behaviors among Parents of Children with Autism: The case of Joy and Nehemiah Centers. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

A child with autism affects the dynamic and coping behaviors of a family. The purpose of this study was to examine the level of family functioning, communication, satisfaction and coping strategies and to determine how these constructs relate to families of children with autism. To collect data for the present study, a questionnaire (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales-IV (FACES-IV) and Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (F-COPES-IV)) was administered to a sample of 25 mothers and 14 fathers that were conveniently sampled from Joy and Nehemiah autism centers. The data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics (mean, mode, percentage and range), spearman rho correlation, the Chi-Square Test for Goodness of Fit, the Friedman test, the Mann-Whitney test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank. The result revealed that parents of children with autism had moderate levels of family functioning. The families had also high levels of family communication and family satisfaction. The levels of balanced cohesion and balanced flexibility are moderately and positively related with family communication and family satisfaction. The unbalanced levels cohesion and flexibility enmeshed and rigid are positively relates with family communication and family satisfaction. Seeking spiritual support was the predominant coping mechanism. Rating for cohesion level, flexibility level and coping mechanisms did not significantly differ based on gender. The levels of seeking spiritual support, social support, reframing and mobilizing help also did not significantly differ based on current relationship status. However, rating on cohesion levels, flexibility levels and passive appraisal as coping mechanisms were significantly different based on family current relationship status. The researcher suggests the provision of training for parents of children with autism will help them to reach high levels of balanced cohesion and flexibility and to reduce the unbalanced levels of cohesion and flexibility.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Clinical Psychology
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
L Education > L Education (General)
R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Andriamparany Edilbert RANOARIVONY
Date Deposited: 27 Jul 2018 12:46
Last Modified: 27 Jul 2018 12:46
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/8286

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