Abstract:

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the depression and anxiety levels of the parents of children with autism with the healthy control group. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study Parents of children with autism and parents of healthy children were included. A total of 62 parents, 31 cases and 31 controls, were included in the study. Results: The depression (p<0.001) and anxiety (p=0.003) scores of the mothers in the case group were found to be significantly higher than the depression and anxiety scores of the mothers in the control group. The depression score of the fathers in the case group was found to be significantly higher than the depression score of the fathers in the control group (p=0002). When the parents were evaluated together, the depression and anxiety scores of the parents in the case group were found to be significantly higher than the depression and anxiety scores of the parents in the control group (p<0.001). There was a significant difference between the degree of autism in terms of BAI (p=0.004). It was observed that the depression and anxiety levels of the parents decreased significantly as the education period of the children with autism increased in the special education center. Conclusion: Having a child with autism poses a risk for depression and anxiety in parents. As the severity of autism increases, parents' anxiety levels increase. It has been determined that children's education in a special education center is associated with a decrease in depression and anxiety levels of families.

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