Chayamon Boonluk. The relationships among selected factors, caregiving burden and family well-being in mothers of children with autistic disorders. Master's Degree(Pediatric Nursing). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2005.
The relationships among selected factors, caregiving burden and family well-being in mothers of children with autistic disorders
Abstract:
This descriptive research investigated the caregiving burden and family well-being of mothers with autistic children and identified factors and the ability of selected factors to predict caregiving burden on the family well-being of these mothers. Orems conceptual framework was used to guide the study. The purposive samples consisted of 107 mothers of autistic children, who had received medical treatment and follow up treatment at the autistic clinic outpatient department of Sri Nakarin Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, from May to September 2003. All data were collected using three questionnaires: Demographic Data Form, Autistic Caregiving Burden Scale Form developed by McCubbin, Oberst & Smith (1990), and translated into the Thai language and modified by the researcher, and the Family Well-Being Assessment Form developed by Caldwell (1983) and translated into Thai by Bu-Hgar Phuchacram (B.E.2533). Data were analyzed by using the SPSS/FW version 10.0 program. The results revealed that the mothers of the autistic children had a moderate caregiving burden and moderate family well-being. In addition, only caregiving burden and mothers level of education could explain the 12.7 percent of variance of family wellbeing in the mothers of autistic children which was statistical significance at the level of p<.01. The results of this study suggest that nurses and other healthcare professionals should help to provide knowledge and information about autism to mothers of autistic children, especially those who have a low level of education. Also the relationships between mothers and family members should be promoted to encourage them to participate in caring for autistic children as a way to help reduce the mothers stress levels. "