Determining the Role of Relationship between Emotion Regulation and Hope and Empathetic Relationship of Mothers with Autistic Children

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder whose sufferers have three main characteristics: socialization disorder, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, and limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between emotion regulation on hope and the empathetic relationship between mothers with autistic children.

The research method was descriptive-correlational and the research population included all mothers with autistic children in District 5 of Tehran, who were referred to counseling centers. Using the available sampling method and according to the number of variables and components, 230 people were selected as the sample group. Research tools for data collection included Gross Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (2003), Schneider Hope Questionnaire (1991), and Davis Empathy Communication Questionnaire (1983).

The results of data analysis showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between emotion regulation and hope (p<0.05). Also, the results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between emotion regulation and empathetic relationship (p<0.05). Discussion and

finally based on the results of regression analysis, the components of hope and empathetic communication were predicted based on the components of regulation. According to the findings, mothers with autistic children have a positive relationship with each other in the components of emotion regulation and hope, and empathetic communication.