The investigation of the depression levels of parents of children with autism

Authors

  • Mensure Aydin Kocaeli University
  • Ahmet Gokbayrak Kocaeli University
  • Muhammet Eyup Uzuner Kocaeli University
  • Hakan Akdeniz Kocaeli University
  • Bergun Meric Bingul Kocaeli University

Keywords:

Autism, Depression, Family with autism.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the depression levels of parents of children with autism. The depression levels of mothers (N=35) and fathers (N=23) of autistic children educated in special education and rehabilitation centers were examined. In this study, socio-demographic features i.e., gender, age, education of mothers and fathers, occupation, were collected and the Beck Depression Inventory was applied to the parents to determine the risk factors of depression, symptom levels. The inventory includes 21 phrases of self-evaluation and possible scores range from 0 - 63. In the statistical analysis of the data, frequency values were applied to the evaluation of the demographic status. The mean and standard deviation were determined to evaluate the depression levels. T-tests were performed to compare the depression levels of mothers and fathers. An Anova test was performed to assess the relationships between the parameters. As a result, it was determined that mothers of autistic children have medium levels of depression (18,80±11,05), and fathers of autistic children have mild levels of depression. T-test analysis showed no significant differences between depression levels of mothers and fathers (p<0,05). Additionally; when income rates, occupations and educational status parameters were taken into account there was no significant difference according to the Anova test (p<0,05). In conclusion, mothers of autistic children have higher depression levels than the fathers.

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Author Biographies

Mensure Aydin, Kocaeli University

Assoc. Prof., Kocaeli University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Recreation Department

Ahmet Gokbayrak, Kocaeli University

MSc., Kocaeli University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Sports Management

Muhammet Eyup Uzuner, Kocaeli University

PhD.,Ress. Asst., Kocaeli University, Faculty of Sports Sciences

Hakan Akdeniz, Kocaeli University

PhD., Kocaeli University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Recreation Department

Bergun Meric Bingul, Kocaeli University

Assoc. Prof., Kocaeli University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Trainer Education Department

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Published

2017-12-30

How to Cite

Aydin, M., Gokbayrak, A., Uzuner, M. E., Akdeniz, H., & Bingul, B. M. (2017). The investigation of the depression levels of parents of children with autism. Journal of Human Sciences, 14(4), 4694–4700. Retrieved from https://j-humansciences.com/ojs/index.php/IJHS/article/view/5090

Issue

Section

Education