Perception of Internalized Stigma in Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Investigating the Effects of Depression, Anxiety, and Family Functioning

Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts communication, behavior, and social interaction. It is well-documented that parents of children with ASD often experience psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression. Nevertheless, research on the perception of internalized stigma, family functioning, and their interconnections is scarce. The main objective of our study was to analyze the internalized stigma perceptions, depression, anxiety, and family functioning among parents or caregivers of children diagnosed with ASD. Methods This study was conducted on 102 cases and 101 healthy controls in a cross-sectional case-control study involving patients aged 3-12 years. The research was carried out at the Child Psychiatry Clinic of Adana City Training and Research Hospital and three Family Health Centers in Adana from October 15 to December 15, 2022. Sociodemographic data, family history, families' knowledge levels about autism, and information about their social lives were collected using a face-to-face structured questionnaire. The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD), and Family APGAR scales were administered. Results The mean ISMI score of the case group was 67.31±8.91. According to the HAD Anxiety scale score, 60.8% of the case group and 14.9% of the control group were at high risk (p<0.001). According to the HAD Depression Scale, 52% of the case group participants and 25.7% of the control group were at high risk (p<0.001). The rate of severe familial dysfunction was 18.6% in the case group and 3.0% in the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion Stigma, anxiety, depression, and family functioning in parents of children diagnosed with ASD lead to various adverse outcomes. Further studies are necessary to prevent these negative experiences for families of children with ASD and to facilitate the integration of these children into society.