PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AND STRESS LEVELS AMONG CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to investigating the relationship between perceived social support and stress levels among caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in Nairobi County, Kenya. Short introduction of problem statement: Caregivers of children with ASD globally face elevated stress levels. Research shows that higher perceived social support is linked to lower stress among these caregivers. Nevertheless, there is a lack of quantitative studies exploring this relationship within the Kenyan context. The gap in empirical literature limits the creation of targeted policies and interventions aimed at bolstering resilience and wellbeing among ASD caregivers. Method/methodology: A cross-sectional design with 127 caregivers from two selected ASD caregiver support groups. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 27, with descriptive and inferential tests, utilized to analyze the data. Results of the study: Pearson correlation revealed a significant negative relationship between perceived social support and stress levels in the overall scale (r = -.287, p = .001), and across all three subscales. The overall regression model was significant (F(12,114) = 2.39, p = .009, R² = .201), with emotional help from family (B = –1.08, β = –.47, p = .007) and sharing joys with friends (B = –0.96, β = –.38, p = .014) indicated as significant stress predictors. Conclusion and policy recommendation: The study concluded that higher levels of perceived social support were associated with lower levels of stress, thus validating the Stress Buffering Hypothesis (SBH), within the context of ASD caregivers in Kenya. The results of the study underscore the importance of belonging to reliable peer and organizational support groups, strengthening family ties, and improving partner, and spousal ties. Keywords: Perceived Social Support, Stress, Caregivers, Children with ASD, Nairobi County, Kenya