The Role of Resilience as a Buffer for Burden and Psychological Distress in ADS Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study

The main objectives of this research are, firstly, to determine the state of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) caregivers in objective and subjective burden, psychological distress, and resilience, and, secondly, to assess the role of resilience as a mediator variable that could buffer the effect of objective burden on perceived burden and psychological distress. The method is descriptive, cross-sectional with a sample of 250 family caregivers. Results show that levels of burden were high, with half of the sample presenting psychological distress, and that the resilience level was above that of the general population. Additionally, the relational pattern showed significant positive relationships between burden and psychological distress, but negative relationships between these variables and resilience. Finally, as expected, resilience has worked as a buffer, decreasing the effect of objective burden, measured as hours/day caring, on subjective burden and psychological distress. The direct impact of resilience on burden and psychological distress, two of the more important risk factors for the mental health of ASD caregivers, as highlighted in this study, points to the necessity of implementing intervention or training programs that help caregivers to cope with stressors associated with the daily tasks of caring, to enhance resilience and personal growth out of stressful situations.