The Influences Of Parenting Stress, Children Behavioral Problems And Children Quality Of Life On Depression Symptoms Among Parents Of Children With Autism: Preliminary Findings / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

Taking care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) could be a demanding task for parents. Consequently, parentsof children with ASD may experience parenting stress and depression symptoms. This study examined parenting stressand depression symptoms among parents of children and adolescents with ASD. This study also examined the role of childcharacteristics (e.g., age, child quality of life and problem behavior) on parenting stress and depression symptoms and theeffect of parenting stress on parental depression. A total of 78 parents were examined using a questionnaire survey. Theresult indicated that parents caring a younger age group of children with ASD have higher levels of depression symptomscompared to parents caring for older group of children with ASD. The result also revealed a significant difference in levelof depression symptoms between parents with higher levels of parenting stress and parents with lower parenting stress.Only the children age significantly predicts depression symptoms in parents of children with ASD. This indicates thatchildren age is potential to affect mental health among parents of children with ASD.

The predicting roles of reasons for living and social support on depression, anxiety and stress among young people in Malaysia

Introduction: This research examined the predicting roles of reasons for living and social support on depression, anxiety and stress in Malaysia. Method: This research was carried out on a sample of 263 participants (age range 12-24 years old), from Klang Valley, Selangor. The survey package comprises demographic information, a measure of reasons for living, social support, depression, anxiety and stress. To analyse the data, correlation analysis and a series of linear multiple regression analysis were carried out. Results: Findings showed that there were low negative relationships between all subdomains and the total score of reasons for living and depression. There were also low negative relationships between domain-specific of social support (family and friends) and total social support and depression. In terms of the family alliance, self-acceptance and total score of reasons for living, they were negatively associated with anxiety, whereas family social support was negatively associated with stress. The linear regression analysis showed that only future optimism and family social support found to be the significant predictors for depression. Family alliance and total reasons for living were significant in predicting anxiety, whereas family social support was significant in predicting stress. Conclusion: These findings have the potential to promote awareness related to depression, anxiety, and stress among youth in Malaysia.