Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

Parents who care for children with autism regularly encounter many challenges. They deal with internal and external issues more often than those with typically normal children. They suffer a lot from high-level parenting stress and ineffective coping strategies that affect their quality of life. The study investigated the effects of trait mindfulness on the quality of life of parents with autistic children, with parenting stress and coping strategies playing a role as mediators. Five instruments were used to collect the data: the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Revision (CAMS-R), the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), the Parental-Developmental Disorder Quality of Life (Par-DD-QoL), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) for measuring coping strategies, and the Self-Compassion Scale. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results of the study showed that trait mindfulness has a positive effect on QoL for parents, with parenting stress acting as a mediator. Moreover, parenting stress negatively affects the QoL, with coping strategies mediating this relationship. Furthermore, trait mindfulness negatively influences the QoL when parenting stress and coping strategies are considered mediators. In addition, self-compassion positively impacts the QoL, with parenting stress acting as a mediator. In summary, this study sheds light on the burdensome dynamics between trait mindfulness, parenting stress, coping strategies, and the quality of life for parents of children with autism. Understanding these relationships can guide the development of tailored interventions and support systems aimed at improving the well-being of parents in this unique context.

Keywords: Trait mindfulness, parenting stress, coping strategy, quality of life, self-compassion, parents with autistic children