1115 - DISTRESS, INTOLERANCE TO UNCERTAINTY, TIME PERSPECTIVES AND PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT IN PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Session: P_D06S004 - Poster Session 4 - Division 6
AUTHORS:
Mitrovic Milica (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Niš ~ Niš ~ Serbia) , Cirovic Nikola (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Niš ~ Niš ~ Serbia) , Jankovic Ivana (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Niš ~ Niš ~ Serbia) , Spasic Šnele Miljana (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Niš ~ Niš ~ Serbia) , Opsenica Kostić Jelena (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Niš ~ Niš ~ Serbia) , Todorovic Jelisaveta (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Niš ~ Niš ~ Serbia)
Abstract text:
Introduction: Parents of children with autism face specific daily stressors related to the disorder and its associated disabilities. As a result, they often show higher levels of distress, emotional exhaustion, and depression compared to other parents.
Purpose: This study examined differences in distress, intolerance of uncertainty, perceived social support, and time perspectives between parents of children with autism and parents of typically developing children, as well as their predictive values for distress.
Method: The sample included 192 parents (137 of typically developing children, 55 of children with autism). Instruments used: Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale.
Results: Parents of children with autism reported higher distress (t(190) = -5.32, p < .001) and negative future orientation (t(190) = -3.24, p = .001), while parents of typically developing children reported higher family support (t(190) = 3.33, p = .001). Hierarchical regression analysis showed that intolerance of uncertainty (ß = .28, p < .001) and negative future orientation (ß = .39, p < .001) significantly predicted distress, controlling for group membership. This final model explains 49% of the variance in the criterion (F(7, 184) = 27.19, p < .001). In the two subsamples, the same predictors of distress emerged, with the addition that in the autism group, friends support also predicted distress (ß = .22, p = .042).
Conclusions: The results confirm higher distress among parents of children with autism. A stronger negative future orientation likely reflects concerns about their child's future. Findings suggest the need for psychological interventions to balance time perspectives, increase tolerance of uncertainty, and develop social skills, as these constructs are shown to contribute to their distress. Greater negative future and its role in distress highlight the need for therapeutic focus.