Self-stigma and its associations with stress and quality of life among Malaysian parents of children with autism

Chu SY 1 , Park H 2 , Lee J 3 , Shaharuddin KKB 4 , Gan CH 5

Affiliations 

  • 1 Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Speech Sciences Programme, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Institute for Measurement, Methodology, Analysis and Policy, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
  • 3 Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership, Institute for Measurement, Methodology, Analysis and Policy, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
  • 4 Faculty of Health Sciences, Speech Sciences Programme, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 5 Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre of Rehabilitation & Special Needs, Clinical Psychology Programme, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Child Care Health Dev, 2020 07;46(4):485-494.
PMID: 32396218 DOI: 10.1111/cch.12771

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study explored the relationship between self-perceived stigmatization (affiliate stigma), stress and quality of life among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

METHOD: Participants (N = 110) filled-in the Affiliate Stigma Scale, the Caregiver Burden Inventory and the CarerQOL scale.

RESULTS: Parents reported low scores on stigma and fair levels of stress and quality of life, indicating that parents do not feel stigmatized by affiliation with a child with ASD nor are they stressed from affiliate stigma. After controlling for demographic factors, both the relationships of affiliate stigma with stress and with quality of life were weak, indicating that stigma may have little to no effect on stress and quality of life.

CONCLUSION: Cultural and religious beliefs may play a part in the acceptance of a child's condition, resulting in less impact of stigma on the parents.

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

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