Mental health state of parents of children with autism

Objective: To study the mental health state of parents of children with autism.

Methods: The mental health state was evaluated by conducting the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90) on parents of 34 children with autism and of 35 healthy children.

Results: The SCL-90 total scores in the fathers (162.5±34.0) and mothers of autistic children (175.1±51.0) were significantly higher than those in healthy children's parents (142.4±42.8 and 152.3±40.6, respectively) (P<0.05). The SCL-90 scores of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depression, anxiety and paranoia in the fathers of autistic children were significantly higher than those in the fathers of healthy children (P<0.05). The SCL-90 scores of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, paranoia, psychotic symptoms, hostility and sleep/diet were significantly higher in the mothers of autistic children than those in the mothers of healthy children (P<0.05). The mothers of autistic children presented higher SCL-90 factor scores in interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety and psychotic symptoms than the fathers (P<0.05).

Conclusions: We should pay more attention to the mental health of parents of autistic children.