Volume 14, 2025
Social Support and Support Need as Predictors of Parenting Stress of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Lagos Nigeria
Ibilola A. SANYAOLU, Opeyemi, SHOAGA, Temidayo, IHEANYICHUKWU & Simideleola T. RASHEED
Abstract
Because of the particular difculties involved in providing care, mothers of children with autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) frequently endure high levels of stress. Limited access to resources and social support in Lagos,
Nigeria, makes this stress worse, underscoring the need for studies on variables that can lessen these
impacts.This study, conducted in Lagos, Nigeria, explored the relationship between social support, support
needs, and parental stress among mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Employing a
descriptive survey design, the research involved 100 mothers of children with ASD. Data were collected using
the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP), the Family Needs Questionnaire (FNQ), the Social Support
Scale (SSS), and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI). Hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 signicance
level, with multiple linear regression analysis and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC) used to
examine correlations and the predictive inuence of the variables. The study revealed signicant positive
correlations between parenting stress and social support (r = .31, p < 0.05), as well as between parenting stress
and support needs (r = .21, p < 0.05). The ndings suggest that higher levels of social support and the fulllment
of specic support needs are associated with lower parenting stress. Emphasizing the crucial role of strong
social support networks and the satisfaction of these needs, the study highlights the importance of targeted
interventions and policies aimed at enhancing the well-being of mothers of children with ASD in Lagos, Nigeria,
and strengthening their caregiving capacity.
Keywords
Social Support, Parenting Stress, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Support needs
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