The mediatory role of coping styles in the relationship between mindfulness in parenting and burnout in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between mindfulness in the mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD)and coping with stress styles and parental burnout, and to test the mediatory role of coping with stress styles.

Materials and Methods: The research was performed using a cross-sectional design. Seventy-one mothers of children with ASD were included in the study. The participants were administered the Mindfulness in Parenting Questionnaire, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Relationships were examined using correlation analysis, and mediating effects were examined using the bootstrap method.

Results: Mindfulness in parenting exhibited a negative correlation with the burnout depersonalization subdimension (r = -0.337, p = .008) and a significant positive correlation with the personal accomplishment subdimension (r = 0.548, p ˂ .001). Mediation analysis showed that the helpless approach (b= -0.045, BootSE=0.029, 95% BCa CI [–0.117, –0.003]) and submissive approach (b= 0.031, BootSE=0.018, 95% BCa CI [0.002, 0.073]) coping styles played a mediating role in the protective effect of mindfulness on depersonalization. However, coping styles did not have a statistically significant mediating role in the effects of mindfulness on emotional exhaustion or personal accomplishment.

Conclusion: The results suggest that mindfulness-based interventions may be effective in reducing burnout in mothers of children with ASD by targeting negative coping strategies. Therefore, integrating psychoeducational components into intervention programs to help mothers recognize nonfunctional coping styles is recommended.