Social Support as a Protective Factor for the Well-Being of Parents of Children with Autism in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience higher levels of stress and impaired life satisfaction as a result of their children's behavior. The well-acknowledged protective role of social support against stress has not been studied in detail with regard to parents of children with ASD in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the impact of social support as a mediator and/or a moderator between parental stress and life satisfaction among parents of children with ASD in KSA. Design and method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among centers that care for children with autism in KSA. The survey encompassed four dimensions: demographic data, family stress and coping, parenting life satisfaction, and perceived social support. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the moderating and/or mediating effect of social support. Results: The analysis of 131 parents indicated that perceived family and parental stress was associated with life satisfaction levels, and this relationship was approximately 0.19 points lower when mediated by social support (β = −0.19, 95% CI [−0.34, −0.05], p =. 02). Social support moderated the relationship between family stress and life satisfaction, which was significant at low (p =. 002) and average levels of stress (p =. 017) but not at high levels of stress. Conclusion: Social support is protective for parents of children with ASD. Practice implications: Social support, including the use of social media groups, should be considered in supporting stressed parents of children with ASD. Therefore, the protective role of social support should be highlighted to healthcare professionals.