Parent Stress, Coping Mechanisms, and Support Systems in Families of Children with Autism in Pakistan

Abstract

This paper addresses the many-faceted nature of stress, ways the parents coped with it, and the existing support network among the Pakistani parents whose children have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Raising a child with ASD is a global issue; however, it is specified in the Pakistani socio-cultural, economic, and healthcare environment. This study explores the reality of these families, pointing out the huge psychological and emotional cost paid by parents especially the mothers. Significant results show the role of parental stress to be compounded by delayed diagnosis impasse, inordinate shortage of accessible affordable professional services and rampant social stigmatization in parental health. In response, parents utilise a mixture of coping mechanisms with a heavy reliance on religious and faith based approaches combined with a more problem focused approach to attain educational and therapeutic treatments of their child. The paper also throws light upon the two-faced nature of the conventional joint family system that can be a life-saving support as well as a conflict and misunderstanding source. The results indicate an importance of elaborating the culturally sensitive lines of support services, creating awareness programs, incorporating awareness and stigma-reduction, and integrated policy frameworks to enhance the well-being of both children with ASD and their families in Pakistan. Finally, this study demands a system-wide transformation of the clinics-oriented perspective on autism to a family-oriented system of services.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Parental Stress, Coping Mechanisms, Social Support, Pakistan, Family Dynamics