TIME PERSPECTIVE SPECIFICS OF MOTHERS RAISING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex challenge for parents, often accompanied by high levels of stress, emotional burnout, and anxiety. The characteristics of parents' time perspective can significantly affect their emotional state and adaptive capabilities. Research on the time orientations of mothers raising children with ASD is crucial for understanding the psychological mechanisms of adaptation to difficult life circumstances and developing effective psychological interventions. The aim of the study was to explore the characteristics of time orientations in mothers raising children with ASD, their relationship with tolerance/intolerance of uncertainty, and subjective feelings of well-being. The study involved 218 parents of children with ASD, of whom 95.41% were women. In the empirical study, the following psychodiagnostic tools were used: Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale by N. Carleton (IUS-12), and Psychological Well-Being Scale by Carol D. Ryff. Statistical processing of the obtained results was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, Student's t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results provide grounds to assert that mothers whose children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are characterized by an unbalanced, maladaptive time perspective with a dominance of "Negative Past" and "Fatalistic Present," doubts about their ability to influence the current life situation, feelings of helplessness, and a weak orientation towards achieving future goals. Correlations were found between these time orientations and general intolerance of uncertainty, anticipatory anxiety, and inhibitory anxiety. Further research may be directed towards studying the impact of various psychological interventions on the time perspective and psychological well-being of mothers raising children with ASD. Investigating the influence of sociocultural factors on the time perspective and adaptation of mothers to raising children with ASD is also promising.