Introduction
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social communication and behavior. ASD can cause significant challenges for the affected individuals and their families. Parents of children with ASD often experience high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and lower quality of life. They may also face difficulties in their social relationships and interactions with others.
Spiritual health is a dimension of health that refers to the connection with a higher power, a sense of meaning and purpose, and a sense of transcendence. Spiritual health can influence the psychological and physical well-being of individuals and their coping strategies. Social adjustment is the ability to adapt to the social environment and to establish and maintain satisfying relationships with others. Social adjustment can affect the mental health and happiness of individuals and their families.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between spiritual health and social adjustment among parents of children with autism. The researchers hypothesized that spiritual health would have a positive correlation with social adjustment and that spiritual health would predict social adjustment among parents of children with autism.
Methods
The study used a descriptive-correlational design. The participants were 120 parents of children with autism who were selected by convenience sampling from the Autism Society of Iran. The participants completed three questionnaires: the Spiritual Health Questionnaire, the Social Adjustment Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression.
Results
The results showed that the mean score of spiritual health among parents of children with autism was 71.83 out of 100, which indicated a moderate level of spiritual health. The mean score of social adjustment among parents of children with autism was 49.58 out of 100, which indicated a low level of social adjustment. The results also showed that there was a significant positive correlation between spiritual health and social adjustment among parents of children with autism (r = 0.42, p < 0.01). The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that spiritual health was a significant predictor of social adjustment among parents of children with autism (β = 0.41, p < 0.01), and that it explained 18% of the variance in social adjustment.
Discussion
The findings of this study supported the hypothesis that spiritual health was positively related to social adjustment among parents of children with autism. The findings suggested that parents of children with autism who had higher levels of spiritual health were more likely to have better social adjustment and to cope better with the challenges of raising a child with ASD. The findings also implied that spiritual health was an important factor that could enhance the well-being and quality of life of parents of children with autism.
The researchers suggested that interventions to improve the spiritual health of parents of children with autism could be beneficial for their social adjustment and mental health. They also recommended that future studies should explore the mechanisms and mediators of the relationship between spiritual health and social adjustment among parents of children with autism, and that they should use more diverse and representative samples of parents of children with autism.
Conclusion
This study was one of the first studies to examine the relationship between spiritual health and social adjustment among parents of children with autism. The study found that spiritual health was positively correlated with and predicted social adjustment among parents of children with autism. The study highlighted the importance of spiritual health as a source of strength and resilience for parents of children with autism. The study also suggested that interventions to enhance the spiritual health of parents of children with autism could improve their social adjustment and well-being.
FAQ
What is the definition of spiritual health according to the research paper?
The research paper defined spiritual health as “the connection with a higher power, a sense of meaning and purpose, and a sense of transcendence”.
What are the benefits of social adjustment for parents of children with autism?
The research paper stated that social adjustment can affect the mental health and happiness of parents of children with autism, and that it can help them to establish and maintain satisfying relationships with others.
What are the factors that influence the spiritual health and social adjustment of parents of children with autism?
The research paper suggested that some of the factors that influence the spiritual health and social adjustment of parents of children with autism are the severity of the child’s symptoms, the availability of social support, the coping strategies, the religious beliefs, and the cultural values of the parents.
How can the results of the research paper be applied in practice?
The research paper recommended that interventions to improve the spiritual health of parents of children with autism could be beneficial for their social adjustment and mental health. Such interventions could include spiritual counseling, meditation, prayer, yoga, or other activities that enhance the spiritual well-being of the parents.
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