Mediating Role of Social Support and Resilience in the Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Marital Strain in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The present study tends to examine the mediating role of social support and resilience in the relationship between emotional intelligence and marital strain in parents of children with ASD. Parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder give out exceptional emotional and psychological challenges, often resulting in heightened stress and marital strain. Parental stress management as well as positive interpersonal relationships maintenance are greatly helped through emotional intelligence (EI). From special education centers, a purposive sample of 120 parents (61 male and 59 female) of children with ASD diagnoses were approached. The study was conducted through cross sectional research design. Emotional intelligence was measured by the Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale (Schutte et al., 1998), social support by Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS; Zimet et al., 1988), resilience by Resilience Assessment Questionnaire (Mowbray, 2011) and marital strain by Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Sabourin et al., 2005). Data analysis was done with SPSS version 26using descriptive statistics, and pearson correlation and mediation analysis. Pearson product-moment correlation analysis was used. The predictive function of emotional intelligence and its indirect impacts on marital strain through social support and resilience were investigated using regression and mediation analysis. The findings should provide insightful information for educators, therapists, and legislators. The creation of successful interventions and community-based support initiatives to enhance parental well-being and lessen marital stress can be guided by these ideas.