Psychological mindedness as a mediator in the relationship between dysfunctional coping styles and depressive symptoms in caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Ping Pang NT; Masiran R; Tan KA; Kassim A

doi:10.1111/ppc.12481

Psychological mindedness as a mediator in the relationship between dysfunctional coping styles and depressive symptoms in caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Ping Pang NT ¹ , Masiran R ² , Tan KA ² , Kassim A ³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Community and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia, Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
² Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
³ Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Perspect Psychiatr Care, 2020 Jul;56(3):649-656.

PMID: 32017137 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12481

Abstract

PURPOSE: Psychological mindedness (PM) can partly explain depressive symptoms in caregivers of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This cross-sectional study examines PM in mediating the relationship between dysfunctional coping styles and depressive symptoms.

DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-five adult ASD caregivers completed the Malay version of Brief COPE, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Balanced Index of PM.

FINDINGS: Direct paths between dysfunctional coping style and depressive symptoms, between insight and depressive symptoms, and between dysfunctional coping style and all PM variables (insight and interest) were obtained. Multiple regression analyses revealed that insight, but not interest, significantly mediates the relationship between dysfunctional coping and depressive symptoms.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: PM can be enhanced via psychological interventions.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.