A Descriptive Study to Assess the Level of Burden and Depression among Caregivers of Children Suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a Selected Occupational Therapy Center in Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Introduction: A descriptive study to assess the level of burden and depression among caregivers of children suffering from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a selected occupational therapy center in Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Method: Cross-sectional research methodology and non-probability purposive sampling were both employed in this study. The sample was 100 caregivers of children suffering from ASD in a selected occupational therapy centre in Noida, UP. Based on the Zarit Burden Interview Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory, levels of burden and depression were determined. A descriptive and inferential statistics was conducted. Results: Results of the study revealed that 34% of the caregivers were at mild to moderate burden and moderate to the severe burden level equally and only 2% were at severe burden level. The findings of the present study also showed that more than half (65%) of the caregivers of children suffering from ASD were found to have minimal depression. Furthermore, the present study found that there was no significant association between burden level and selected demographic variables except for age. Depression level was not significantly associated with selected demographic variables except for occupation, which was significant. Conclusion: This study suggests that early assessment caregiving burden and depression among children’s caregivers suffering from ASD will reduce adverse consequences and negative psychological outcomes.