MOTHERS' PERSONALITY AND SEVERITY OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Introduction: Previous study indicates that the severity of ASD symptoms in children appears to be positively associated with the severity of the symptoms of depression and anxiety in the parents of children with ASD. This study aims to analyze the association between the personality traits of the mothers and the severity of the ASD symptoms in the children. Methodology: the study sample was selected among parents of children diagnosed with autism in institutions for the care of people with ASD. The children were diagnosed by psychiatry professionals according to DSM-5 criteria. In total, 54 mothers were included. The instrument used to evaluate the personality traits of the mothers was the Factorial Personality Inventory (IFP). Results: some personality traits presented differently in mothers of children with mild ASD in relation to mothers of children with symptoms of moderate or severe ASD, specifically: interception, deference, performance, display, autonomy and order. The traits of care, caring, affiliation, aggression and change presented low expression in both groups. The persistence trait was the one with the highest prevalence of high scores in both groups. Conclusion: Despite being a preliminary study, with a small sample and without a comparison group, this study may serve as an indicator for future research with larger populations that can more reliably clarify the association between the personality traits of the mothers and the severity of the symptoms in children diagnosed with ASD.