Estilos Parentais e Comportamentos de Crianças e Adolescentes com Transtorno do Espectro Autista

Abstract

The scientific literature shows the importance of the family in child development and, in recent decades, studies have focused on parenting characteristics and their relationship with children and adolescents' behaviors. Considering that parenting practices are factors that characterize the interaction between parents and children, this research aimed to analyze the parenting style in 57 families of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Parents responded for both their own and their children's behaviors for the following instruments: Brazil Economic Classification Criterion (CCEB); Sample Characterization Form; Skills and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); and Parenting Styles Inventory (PEI). The research was carried out online and in-person in an institution that assists people with disabilities, with data analyzed by descriptive and correlational statistics. As for the sociodemographic results, mothers represented the majority of the participants (84%), with children and adolescents between 5 and 15 years old (n=57), mostly boys (88%), attending elementary school (81%) and receiving some kind of treatment, psychology being the most attended specialty (72%). Half of the sample participated in parental training that involved activities on behavior management. In the analysis of the children's behavior, data from the SDQ indicated the high frequency of conduct problems (84%), hyperactivity (82%), and problems with peers (86%), consistent with the characteristics of the disorder. On the other hand, the non-clinical classification in the pro- social behavior subscale stands out. The IEP identified behaviors classified as good parenting style (37%), with a predominance of the use of developmentally appropriate practices, especially positive monitoring (72%) and moral behavior (66%). Regarding the practices considered negative, there was a higher average for the use of negative monitoring (4.35). As for parental practices, there was a statistically significant difference for the negative practices Inconsistent Punishment, being used more frequently by mothers, and Neglect, a more assiduous practice by fathers. The use of positive practices was associated with a higher level of pro-social behavior in children, and parental training with fewer behavior problems. On the other hand, risky parenting style was associated with behavior problems. The results showed that the sample presents protective factors for the development of the child/adolescent, as well as for family relationships. The variables identified act in a continuous manner, being favorable for the best context of care for individuals and families who live with ASD. The importance of the family in the treatment and follow-up of children and adolescents of the sample was verified, especially in the investigation of parental practices.