Marital satisfaction and coping strategies among mothers of children with ADHD, ASD, and typically developing children: a cross-sectional study in Egypt

Abstract Background Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that can lead to familial stress, whereas autism spectrum disorder results in significant social and communication impairments. Mothers of children with these neurodevelopmental disorders report heightened anxiety, depression, and decreased self-esteem, impacting marital satisfaction. Objectives The study aimed to assess and compare marital satisfaction and coping patterns among mothers of children with ADHD, ASD, and a control group of mothers with typically developing children. Subjects and methods Conducted at the Al Abassia psychiatric hospital, this cross-sectional comparative study involved 78 mothers divided into three groups: 26 each with children diagnosed with ADHD, ASD, and healthy controls. Various scales were employed to evaluate intelligence and symptom severity among children, together with marital satisfaction and coping styles among mothers. Results The mothers of children with ASD scored notably the least marital satisfaction among the 3 groups, especially affectional expression and resort to maladaptive coping strategies compared to the other 2 groups. Logistic regression revealed that poor planning strategies negatively affected marital satisfaction among mothers of children with ADHD, while for those with ASD, the Children’s Autism Rating Scale scores were pivotal. Conclusion The findings highlight the necessity for programs aimed at fostering both child development and parental well-being, highlighting maternal coping mechanisms and marital satisfaction. Further research is needed to dive deeper into these issues.