CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Projects In-Process
Parental Self-Efficacy in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Psychology
Minor
Theatre
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Sean Simons; Dr. Esther Malm
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that includes deficits in social communication, social interaction, repetitive patterns of behavior, restricted behavior, and restricted interests. Due to COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, school and healthcare services became limited, which made it difficult for parents of children with ASD to access needed resources. For this research we are interested in examining the experiences of parents of children with ASD in caring for their children during the pandemic. Specifically, we seek to assess parents’ self-efficacy to (1) care and (2) teach their children during the pandemic. Secondly, we seek to understand other variables including (3) parents’ own levels of psychological distress, (4) healthcare, and (5) financial stress during the period. For each question, we operationally define the COVID-19 lockdown period as the time frame between January and December 2020. . As such, for each of the areas of interest, we hypothesized that parents of children with ASD would report having more stress with teaching their children, more psychological distress (anxiety, depression, & stress), lower efficacy parenting (caring), more stress reported associated with healthcare access, and more financial stress during COVID-19 lockdown period compared to before - and currently. For this study a qualitative design is proposed. Our sample of interest is parents/guardians who have a child(ren) diagnosed to be on the autism spectrum. Our ideal sample size would be a minimum of 20 families. This study has been approved by the MSU IRB and data collection (interviews with parents) is about to begin.
Spring Scholars Week 2022 Event
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Parental Self-Efficacy in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that includes deficits in social communication, social interaction, repetitive patterns of behavior, restricted behavior, and restricted interests. Due to COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, school and healthcare services became limited, which made it difficult for parents of children with ASD to access needed resources. For this research we are interested in examining the experiences of parents of children with ASD in caring for their children during the pandemic. Specifically, we seek to assess parents’ self-efficacy to (1) care and (2) teach their children during the pandemic. Secondly, we seek to understand other variables including (3) parents’ own levels of psychological distress, (4) healthcare, and (5) financial stress during the period. For each question, we operationally define the COVID-19 lockdown period as the time frame between January and December 2020. . As such, for each of the areas of interest, we hypothesized that parents of children with ASD would report having more stress with teaching their children, more psychological distress (anxiety, depression, & stress), lower efficacy parenting (caring), more stress reported associated with healthcare access, and more financial stress during COVID-19 lockdown period compared to before - and currently. For this study a qualitative design is proposed. Our sample of interest is parents/guardians who have a child(ren) diagnosed to be on the autism spectrum. Our ideal sample size would be a minimum of 20 families. This study has been approved by the MSU IRB and data collection (interviews with parents) is about to begin.