A Comparative Study on Emotional Intelligence of Parents with Autism Spectrum Disorders Children and Children with Normal Development

Studies suggested that parenting a child with a disability have more difficulties than parenting of healthy children because developing a child with disabilities is associated with negative emotions and be frustrating and stressful in both physical and emotional aspects. It is noteworthy that the psychological health of parents has a direct impact on the children’s social, emotional, cognitive and behavioral development and with attachment quality, taking part in the education and treatment of their child, taking care of other members of the family and their psychological health. In general, emotional intelligence has a strong correlation with the ability to deal with problems, adjustment, positive judgment, decision–making, extraversion, flexibility, happiness and ability to coordinate the feelings and psychological development. Therefore, due to the importance of emotional intelligence in parents of autistic children, the present study was conducted to compare the emotional intelligence of children with autism spectrum disorder parents’ and parents of children with typical development. This study was causal-comparative research, and its statistical population was parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and parents of children with typical development in Uremia city (Northwest of Iran). A total of 50 couples with children with autism spectrum disorder were selected by availability sampling method from related keeping and educational center and a total of 50 couples with normal development children which were selected by multistage cluster sampling method from ordinary schools. Inclusion criteria for research were to have at least one child with an autism spectrum disorder in a family with having autism spectrum disorder child and had above secondary education of parents in both groups. Exclusion criteria were having psychotic disorders and mental retardation of parents in both groups. To data analysis, a T–statistical model for two independent groups was used for two separate groups. The bar–on emotional quotient inventory was used to collect data. This scale formed to assess capabilities, qualifications, and no cognitive skills that considered being on a person's ability to succeed in coping with environmental demands and pressures convenience. The results indicated that there was a significant difference between general emotional intelligence of children autism spectrum disorder parents with normal development children (p=0.02). In addition, there was a significant difference between some features of emotional intelligence including problem solving (p=0.04), happiness (p<0.001), interpersonal relationships (p=0.03), optimism (p<0.001), self–esteem (p=0.05) and flexibility (p=0.01). According to the findings of lower general emotional intelligence and some it factors in parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder, educational program in this field should be considered in early intervention for them.