Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on families living with autism: An online survey

Isensee, Corinna; Schmid, Benjamin; Marschik, Peter B.; Zhang, Dajie; Poustka, Luise

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104307

Cited by 21 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Beyond the quantitative data collected in this study, the qualitative data analysis provides valuable additional insights into the unique experience of parenting an autistic child during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many of the experiences endorsed by parents in quantitative data were likely shared by parents of neuro-typical children (e.g., reduced access to activities, financial and employment stress, lack of connection to support networks) ( 38 ), the qualitative data reveal stressors and experiences unique to parents of autistic children ( 39 ). Throughout the major themes that emerged, two major underlying threads were clear that connected the stress expressed in each of the themes and subthemes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of COVID-19 on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Qatar

Alshaban,

Ghazal,

Al-Harahsheh

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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IntroductionThe unprecedented impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has had profound implications on the ASD community, including disrupting daily life, increasing stress and emotional dysregulation in autistic children, and worsening individual and family well-being.MethodsThis study used quantitative and qualitative survey data from parents in Qatar (n=271), to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic children and their families in Qatar. The questionnaire was a combination of open-ended (qualitative) and closed-ended (quantitative) questions to explore patterns in the experiences of the different families, as well as to contrive themes. The survey was created in a way to evaluate the psychological, academic/intervention, economic, and other impacts of the pandemic related measures on a sample of multicultural families residing in the State of Qatar during the peak period of confinement and physical distancing in 2020. Data acquisition involved the utilization of Google Forms. Subsequent quantitative analysis employed the SPSS software and chi-square analysis for numerical examination, enabling the characterization of the studied population and exploration of associations between parental stress levels and variables such as employment status, therapy accessibility, presence of hired assistance, and alterations in their childs skills. Concurrently, qualitative data from written responses underwent thorough categorization, encompassing themes such as emotional isolation, mental or financial challenges, and difficulties in obtaining support.ResultsParents expressed distress and disturbance in their daily lives, including profound disruptions to their childrens access to treatment, education, and activities. Most parents reported deteriorations in their childrens sleep (69.4%), behavioral regulation (52.8%), and acquired skills across multiple domains (54.2%). Parents also reported decreased access to family and social support networks, as well as decreased quality of clinical and community support. Qualitative analysis of parental responses revealed that child developmental regression was an important source of parental stress.Discussion and conclusionThe greater impact of the pandemic on autistic children and their families emphasizes the need for accessible and affordable health, education, and family services to manage their special needs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of COVID-19 on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Qatar

Alshaban,

Ghazal,

Al-Harahsheh

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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“…Furthermore, it has been noted that children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders and/or externalizing disorders have been the ones most impacted by the implemented restrictive measures [3]. In addition to these data, as reported by studies conducted during 2021 and 2022 among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, parents of children with ASD exhibited higher levels of psychological distress, highlighting the increase in anxiety and depression problems [20,21]. Regarding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it has underlined an exacerbation of inattention and hyperactivity symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to stress and mood alterations [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

COVID-19 Pandemic: 1-Year Follow-Up in Children and Adolescents with Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Pastorino¹,

Marino²,

Aiello³

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Introduction: Few studies have focused on the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. The objective of our work was to evaluate the changes in emotional and behavioral symptoms in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders and the impact on parenting stress 1 year after the first national lockdown. Methods: We enrolled 369 patients aged 1.5–18 years of age referred to the Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit of the University Hospital of Salerno (Italy) by their parents. We asked their parents to complete two standardized questionnaires for the assessment of emotional/behavioral symptoms (Child Behavior CheckList, CBCL) and parental stress (Parenting Stress Index, PSI) prior to the pandemic (Time 0), during the first national lockdown (Time 1) and after 1 year (Time 2), and we monitored the changes in symptoms over time. Results: After 1 year from the start of the first national lockdown, we found a significant increase of internalizing problems, anxiety, depression, somatization, and social and oppositional-defiant problems in older children (6–18 years), and a significant increase of somatization, anxiety problems, and sleep problems in younger children (1.5–5 years). We also observed a significant relationship between emotional/behavioral symptoms and parental stress. Conclusion: Our study showed that parental stress levels increased compared to the pre-pandemic months and continues to persist over time, while internalizing symptoms of children and adolescents showed a significant worsening during 1 year follow-up from the first COVID-19 lockdown.

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“…These levels of parental stress have been associated with younger age of children with ASD. It has also been noted that the worsening of the disorder is less in families with good emotional support and high capacity to adapt to changes [ 57 ].…”

Section: Part One - Impact Of the Pandemic On The Mental Health Of Th...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the general population and health care workers

Bouza

Arango²,

Moreno³

et al. 2023

Rev Esp Quimioter

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The Health Sciences Foundation has assembled a multidisciplinary group around a series of questions about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the general population and specific groups within that population, particularly healthcare workers. In the general population, the most prevalent mental disorders have been anxiety, sleep disorders and affective disorders, primarily depression. There has been a considerable increase in suicidal behavior, especially in young women and men over 70 years of age. There has been an increase in alcohol abuse and nicotine, cannabis and cocaine use. In contrast, the use of synthetic stimulants during periods of confinement has decreased. With regard to non-substance addictions, gambling was very limited, pornography consumption increased significantly and there was an increase in compulsive shopping and the use of video games. Particularly vulnerable groups include adolescents and patients with autism spectrum disorders. Healthcare workers suffered an increase in depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, especially those who were exposed during the early stages of the pandemic. Female sex, being a nurse, proximity to patients with COVID-19, working in a rural environment and having previous psychiatric or organic illnesses were some of the most frequently repeated factors in various studies in this population group. The media have shown a good degree of knowledge about these problems and have dealt with them frequently and from the point of view of ethics, crisis situations, such as the one experienced, have triggered not only physical but also moral claudications

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Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on families living with autism: An online survey

Cited by 21 publications

References 50 publications

Effects of COVID-19 on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Qatar

Effects of COVID-19 on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Qatar

COVID-19 Pandemic: 1-Year Follow-Up in Children and Adolescents with Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the general population and health care workers

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