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Depression, Anxiety and Stress in formal and informal caregivers of autistic children in specified centers of Karachi.
Abstract:   (59 Views)
Objectives: We aimed to assess the frequency of depression, anxiety, and stress in formal and informal caregivers of autistic children in Karachi, Pakistan.
Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among caregivers of autistic children in specified centers of Karachi. There were 255 participants out of which 111 were formal caregivers and 144 were informal caregivers. Depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS) was used to collect data. Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between the frequency of depression anxiety and stress among the two groups.
Results: It was found that 76.3% of informal caregivers were suffering from mild depression, 59.3% were moderately depressed and 76.5 % were severely depressed (P < 0.01). Similarly, 72.4% had mild anxiety, 68.2% were moderately anxious and 50.5% were severely anxious (P < 0.01). Also 75.0% had mild, 71.1% moderate, 85.7% severe, and 95.0% had extremely severe stress respectively (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant levels of depression, anxiety and stress found amongst formal caregivers.
Discussion: It was significantly found that depression, anxiety and stress were more commonly present in parents of autistic children (informal caregivers) as compared to formal caregivers.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Informal caregiver, Formal caregiver, Depression, Anxiety, Stress.
     
Article type: Original Research Articles | Subject: Psychology
Received: 2023/02/8 | Accepted: 2023/07/25
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