Mental Health Outcomes in Parents of Children with Autism: Implications for Practice and Policy

Abstract

The relationship between parental mental health outcomes including anxiety depression and stress regarding parents of children with autism exists in abundance in academic literature although Pakistan faces limited research on this topic specifically when it comes to anxiety as a mediator between predictor stress and outcome depression. Therefore, the objective of this study is to overcome this gap. The research intends to address the current literature gap of knowledge through effects-based policy recommendations and support upcoming academic studies. Parents of at least one child with autism below eighteen years old participated in this research through purposive sampling within a cross-sectional correlational design. The study included 222 participants: 152 mothers and 70 fathers, with a mean age of 38.09 years (SD = 9.63). Hayes Process 4.2, Model 4 confirmed positive and significant mediating role of anxiety between stress and depression. Research analysed findings linked with autism-related literature while proposing social welfare measures through counselling services as well as autism spectrum disorder education and peer networks and mental health assistance programs combined with educational guidance for children and advocacy for government-operated autism education facilities. The government needs to establish effective policies which enable on-going parental counselling support together with effective autism treatment solutions for children.