Perceived Stress, Coping Strategies and Family Functioning in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comparative Study

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects not only a child, but also an entire family. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder often face increased levels of stress as a result of the daily challenges associated with caring for the child, behavioral problems, and uncertainty regarding the child's future development. These challenges can negatively impact the psychological well-being of parents, their adaptation and psychological adjustment, as well as family functioning. Objective: The primary aim of the study was to examine differences in perceived parental stress, family functioning, and coping strategies between parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and parents of typically developing children. In addition, the study examined the associations among these variables and the predictive contribution of family functioning and adaptive coping strategies to perceived stress among parents of children with ASD. Material and methods: The study is a quantitative, cross-sectional and comparative study that included 200 respondents. Of these, 100 were parents (mothers and fathers) of 50 children with autism spectrum disorder and 100 were parents (mothers and fathers) of 50 children with typical development. The following measuring instruments were used to assess family functioning, perceived stress and coping strategies: F-COPES (Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale), FACES-IV (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-IV) and PSS (Perceived Stress Scale). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent-samples t-test, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The results showed that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reported higher levels of perceived stress, as well as significant differences in the dimensions of family functioning and coping strategies compared to parents of typically developing children. Higher levels of perceived stress among parents were associated with less favorable family functioning and differences in the use of specific coping strategies. Regression analysis showed that the composite family functioning index and adaptive family coping index significantly predicted perceived stress, with the two predictors jointly explaining 33.6% of the variance in perceived stress. Given the cross-sectional design, these findings represent predictive associations rather than causal relationships. Conclusion: The findings indicate that parents of children with ASD reported higher levels of perceived stress and less favorable patterns of family functioning, highlighting the need for psychological and family-oriented support. Interventions that improve family functioning and encourage adaptive coping strategies may contribute to better adaptation and family well-being.