Influence of Rumination and Coping on Post-Traumatic Growth among Mothers of Children with Autism

Abstract

Background: The mothers of children with autism need to positively cope with this traumatic event and develop Post-Traumatic Growth .Aim of the study:to investigate the influences of rumination and coping on Post-traumatic Growth among mothers of children with autism Subjects and methods: This descriptive study was carried out in Abdul Salam Abu Al-Fadl Association in AlmahallaAlkobra city, Gharbia Governorate on 130 mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A self-administered questionnaire was used in data collection and involved the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory,the Event-Related Rumination Inventory, and the Brief-COPE scale. The fieldwork lasted from June to September 2019.Results: Mothers; age ranged between 25 and 45 years, and 70.8% of the mothers and fathers had university education. Deliberate rumination was more (70.8%) than intrusive (60.0%). Slightly more than half of mothers had high total Post-traumatic Growth (51.5%). The positive approach coping style was the most used (60.0%). In hierarchical regression analysis, intrusive rumination and neither way coping were negative predictors of all domains of Post-traumatic Growth and its total, while deliberate rumination, avoidance and approach coping were positive predictors. Conclusion and recommendations:The mothers of children with autism have average scores of Post-Traumatic Growth, with relatively high rumination especially the deliberate type, and mostly use approach positive coping. Deliberate rumination and coping positively predict their Post-Traumatic Growth, while intrusive rumination is a negative predictor. Based on the finding of the current study, the following is recommended, training in positive coping is recommended for these mothers.