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Assessment of stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in caregivers of children with ASD

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

P. Pacheco ,
M. Pacheco  and
D. Molini-Avejonas
P. Pacheco*
Affiliation:
University of São Paulo, Rehabilitation Science, São Paulo, Brazil
M. Pacheco
Affiliation:
UFES, Morphology, Vitoria, Brazil
D. Molini-Avejonas
Affiliation:
University of São Paulo, Rehabilitation Science, São Paulo, Brazil
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

An infectious disease such as COVID-19 can have a great impact on mental health due to the fear of contracting it as well as the social isolation itself due to the containment measures. Such events are considered stressors, as they can be perceived as threatening or challenging, and can have cumulative effects that are harmful to mental health. Along with this scenario, anxiety can occur in association with stress, and it is defined as extreme concern and somatic symptoms that generate tension, hindering the proper functioning and development of basic life functions. In people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families, such events can occur more intensely, as changing routine and adapting to different activities are usually challenging. The study examined stress, anxiety and coping strategies during the pandemic.

Objectives

To analyze stressful events, anxiety and coping strategies in caregivers of children and adolescents with ASD and typical development.

Methods

Forty caregivers of children and adolescents with ASD and 40 of typically developing participated in the study. The assessment instruments used were: 1. RSQ COVID-19; 2. Semi-structured interview; 3. State–Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults. For statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) or chi-square were used.

Results

Caregivers of children and adolescents with ASD showed greater stress and anxiety, in addition to using less adaptive coping strategies.

Conclusions

There is a great need to welcome families of children and adolescents with ASD, helping to develop coping or coping strategies.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Keywords

autismcopingCOVID19Stress
Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 65 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 30th European Congress of Psychiatry , June 2022 , pp. S278
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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