**4. Results**

#### **4.1 Qualitative analysis**

#### *4.1.1 Parental coping style based on their explanations*

Parental answers to the questions on their coping styles were transcribed verbatim and their answers were categorized according to the four types of coping styles (rational, avoidance, emotional and detached). An independent rater re-categorized the parental responses on 10 randomly selected responses of the parental transcribed answers to the interview questions, and 95% of consensus between the researcher and the independent rater was revealed. **Table 4** shows the frequencies and percentages of each style of coping strategy which parents use to face the problems in their lives.

Three (7%) parents' answers were categorized under the 'detached style' of

*Parental Coping Styles of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Report from Iran*

[F.40] 'I let things happen as it is not my problem. This is my motto "let the

To analyse quantitative data and to test the relationships between different variables, descriptive statistics (e.g. mean, standard deviation, etc.) and inferential statistics in both parametric, correlations, regression analysis) and non-parametric (Chi-square test) measures were used. Children's descriptive statistics based on

Although the functioning level and the severity profile of the children's symptoms in this study were previously determined by professionals at the admission stage in the clinics and special schools based on the different scales they use. Based on the research aims, parental understanding of the severity of ASD symptoms was considered in this study. The data showed that all the children regardless of their age level passed the cut-off score on the SCQ scale based on their parents' reports, but the proportion was less on the two other scales. ABC that emphasizes the behavioural aspects of ASD diagnosed higher rates of ASD compared to GARS that emphasizes the communication, social and developmental aspects of ASD in children. On all three scales, the children's scores varied widely which are not uncommon in ASD. It may mean that the impact on families will not be so great if the

Five scales on general health, sources of stress, family functioning, satisfaction with the caring role and coping style were used to understand the impact of child ASD on parental general well-being. Parental scores on the scales used were also calculated and their statistical description (standard deviation, mean, maximum and minimum scores) on each scale was obtained. Parental scales'statistical infor-

**Table 6** shows the Pearson's product-moment (*r*) correlation coefficients

tendencies to use that style as a coping approach they consider to deal with the situation. Finding of the coping style scale and considering the scales scoring system indicated that 24 parents (56%) were using the rational style of coping and only 1 parent (2%) was considered to use the detached style of coping as a way to confront

Statistical analysis showed that there was no statistical difference between

style, there was a significant relationship between the age of mothers and their rational coping style. To be able to compare parents based on their age, they were divided into two young (under 40) and old groups (40 and over). Compared to the younger mothers, the older mothers showed more tendencies towards using the

Intercorrelation among parental measures and parental understanding of the severity of ASD symptoms using three standardized scales about ASD features are presented in **Table 8**. Parents'styles of coping were also correlated (see **Table 6**). Parents who used rational styles were less inclined to use emotional styles of coping. However, parents who used emotional coping tended to have poorer general health, which might be an indicator of psychiatric problems with parents who are using the

(1) = 6.51, *p* = 0.12, N = 43] and

(1) = 6.32, *p* = 0.69, N = 43]. But regarding parental coping

(1) = 3.90, *p* < 0.05, N = 27].

Coping style scales and parental scores in each style of coping indicated parental

mation for mothers and fathers separately is presented in **Table 5**.

[M.9] 'I reject things at the beginning and then I accept and surrender'.

things happen the way it has to happen; we are helpless'.

coping strategy:

**4.2 Quantitative analysis**

parental reports are shown in **Table 3**.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92700*

extent of their ASD is not so marked.

the associated challenges (**Table 7**).

rational style of coping style [χ<sup>2</sup>

emotional coping [χ<sup>2</sup>

**115**

mothers and fathers in adopting rational [χ<sup>2</sup>

between the parental scales used in this study.

In reporting parent's responses, F stands for the fathers and M for the mothers with their given numbers to keep their privacy.

Sixteen parents' responses (37%) were categorized as 'avoidance style':

[F.8] 'I will take it easy! Similar to Scarlet O'Hara's personality in the movie 'Gone with the Wind' 'I will think about it later' I say.

[M.33] 'I will cover myself in loads of daily routine and duties and keep myself engage with them. There will be no time to think about the problem! I think this is my trick jump in the river of troubles to avoid being engaged with the problem and to forget about it. I think that my method is to be cautious and patient instead of challenging the problems'.

Thirteen responses made by parents (30%) were categorized as having the 'rational style' of coping:

[M.28] 'I try to keep the problem private and to myself and do all my best to deal with it by myself, and not to expose it to the outsiders. My method is being patient and enduring. I am sure that praying won't solve my problems'.

[F.34] 'I know the patient person is the winner. I become quiet but pensive in time of trouble. I do not make any decisions or taking any actions, I just try to understand the situation think precisely and make plane my reaction. I pray for getting the power of changing those things that can be changed and to accept those things that are firm and cannot be changed'.

Eleven (26%) parents' answers were categorized under the 'emotional style' of coping, and religious answers were placed in this category as well; 7 parents (16%) mentioned religious behaviours as a method of coping with the situation:

[M.3] 'Except for over-eating nothing can calm me down'.

[M.35] 'Feeling helpless and defeated. No one can help me. I must suffer this is what my destiny wants for me'.

[M.12] 'I pray and recite Quran to calm me down'.

[F. 6] 'We must find a solution. We have to do our best and then God will help us. I know that my son will be healed. Jesus healed many severely ill people he can heal my son as well. I just need to strengthen my faith'.


**Table 4.**

*The frequencies and percentages of the coping styles that parents use to face their problems (N = 43).*

*Parental Coping Styles of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Report from Iran DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92700*

Three (7%) parents' answers were categorized under the 'detached style' of coping strategy:

[F.40] 'I let things happen as it is not my problem. This is my motto "let the things happen the way it has to happen; we are helpless'.

[M.9] 'I reject things at the beginning and then I accept and surrender'.

#### **4.2 Quantitative analysis**

**4. Results**

**4.1 Qualitative analysis**

challenging the problems'.

'rational style' of coping:

*4.1.1 Parental coping style based on their explanations*

*Parenting - Studies by an Ecocultural and Transactional Perspective*

with their given numbers to keep their privacy.

things that are firm and cannot be changed'.

what my destiny wants for me'.

**Table 4.**

**114**

'Gone with the Wind' 'I will think about it later' I say.

and enduring. I am sure that praying won't solve my problems'.

Parental answers to the questions on their coping styles were transcribed verbatim

and their answers were categorized according to the four types of coping styles (rational, avoidance, emotional and detached). An independent rater re-categorized the parental responses on 10 randomly selected responses of the parental transcribed answers to the interview questions, and 95% of consensus between the researcher and the independent rater was revealed. **Table 4** shows the frequencies and percentages of each style of coping strategy which parents use to face the problems in their lives. In reporting parent's responses, F stands for the fathers and M for the mothers

Sixteen parents' responses (37%) were categorized as 'avoidance style': [F.8] 'I will take it easy! Similar to Scarlet O'Hara's personality in the movie

[M.33] 'I will cover myself in loads of daily routine and duties and keep myself engage with them. There will be no time to think about the problem! I think this is my trick jump in the river of troubles to avoid being engaged with the problem and to forget about it. I think that my method is to be cautious and patient instead of

Thirteen responses made by parents (30%) were categorized as having the

[M.28] 'I try to keep the problem private and to myself and do all my best to deal with it by myself, and not to expose it to the outsiders. My method is being patient

[F.34] 'I know the patient person is the winner. I become quiet but pensive in time of trouble. I do not make any decisions or taking any actions, I just try to understand the situation think precisely and make plane my reaction. I pray for getting the power of changing those things that can be changed and to accept those

Eleven (26%) parents' answers were categorized under the 'emotional style' of coping, and religious answers were placed in this category as well; 7 parents (16%)

[M.35] 'Feeling helpless and defeated. No one can help me. I must suffer this is

[F. 6] 'We must find a solution. We have to do our best and then God will help us. I know that my son will be healed. Jesus healed many severely ill people he can

mentioned religious behaviours as a method of coping with the situation:

**Style of coping N %** Avoidance 16 37% Rational 13 30% Emotional 11 26% Detached 3 7%

*The frequencies and percentages of the coping styles that parents use to face their problems (N = 43).*

[M.3] 'Except for over-eating nothing can calm me down'.

[M.12] 'I pray and recite Quran to calm me down'.

heal my son as well. I just need to strengthen my faith'.

To analyse quantitative data and to test the relationships between different variables, descriptive statistics (e.g. mean, standard deviation, etc.) and inferential statistics in both parametric, correlations, regression analysis) and non-parametric (Chi-square test) measures were used. Children's descriptive statistics based on parental reports are shown in **Table 3**.

Although the functioning level and the severity profile of the children's symptoms in this study were previously determined by professionals at the admission stage in the clinics and special schools based on the different scales they use. Based on the research aims, parental understanding of the severity of ASD symptoms was considered in this study. The data showed that all the children regardless of their age level passed the cut-off score on the SCQ scale based on their parents' reports, but the proportion was less on the two other scales. ABC that emphasizes the behavioural aspects of ASD diagnosed higher rates of ASD compared to GARS that emphasizes the communication, social and developmental aspects of ASD in children. On all three scales, the children's scores varied widely which are not uncommon in ASD. It may mean that the impact on families will not be so great if the extent of their ASD is not so marked.

Five scales on general health, sources of stress, family functioning, satisfaction with the caring role and coping style were used to understand the impact of child ASD on parental general well-being. Parental scores on the scales used were also calculated and their statistical description (standard deviation, mean, maximum and minimum scores) on each scale was obtained. Parental scales'statistical information for mothers and fathers separately is presented in **Table 5**.

**Table 6** shows the Pearson's product-moment (*r*) correlation coefficients between the parental scales used in this study.

Coping style scales and parental scores in each style of coping indicated parental tendencies to use that style as a coping approach they consider to deal with the situation. Finding of the coping style scale and considering the scales scoring system indicated that 24 parents (56%) were using the rational style of coping and only 1 parent (2%) was considered to use the detached style of coping as a way to confront the associated challenges (**Table 7**).

Statistical analysis showed that there was no statistical difference between mothers and fathers in adopting rational [χ<sup>2</sup> (1) = 6.51, *p* = 0.12, N = 43] and emotional coping [χ<sup>2</sup> (1) = 6.32, *p* = 0.69, N = 43]. But regarding parental coping style, there was a significant relationship between the age of mothers and their rational coping style. To be able to compare parents based on their age, they were divided into two young (under 40) and old groups (40 and over). Compared to the younger mothers, the older mothers showed more tendencies towards using the rational style of coping style [χ<sup>2</sup> (1) = 3.90, *p* < 0.05, N = 27].

Intercorrelation among parental measures and parental understanding of the severity of ASD symptoms using three standardized scales about ASD features are presented in **Table 8**. Parents'styles of coping were also correlated (see **Table 6**). Parents who used rational styles were less inclined to use emotional styles of coping. However, parents who used emotional coping tended to have poorer general health, which might be an indicator of psychiatric problems with parents who are using the
