Coping. life satisfaction and empowerment in caregivers of children with an autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between coping styles, and life satisfaction, and empowerment in caregivers of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participants were 300 caregivers of children with an ASD. They were recruited through service providers for children with an ASD, Facebook Support Pages, and the snowball method. Caregivers filled out a few demographic questions, the Brief COPE, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Family Empowerment Scale (FES). The first category of coping (Self Distraction, Denial, Behavioral Disengagement, Venting, Humor, Self-Blame) was negatively related to life satisfaction while the third category of coping (Emotional Support, Instrumental Support) was positively related. The family subscale of empowerment positively predicted life satisfaction.