title: The role of coping strategies and self-efficacy as predictors of life satisfaction in a sample of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: This research aims to understand the role of coping strategies and self-efficacy expectations as predictors of life satisfaction in a sample of parents of boys and girls diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder.
  
  
  
  A total of 129 parents (64 men and 65 women) answered a questionnaire on life-satisfaction, coping strategies and self-efficacy scales.
  
  
  
  Using a regression model, results show that the age of the child is associated with a lower level of satisfaction in parents. The results show that self-efficacy is the variable that best explains the level of satisfaction in mothers, while the use of problem solving explains a higher level of satisfaction in fathers. Men and women show similar levels of life satisfaction; however significant differences were found in coping strategies where women demonstrated higher expressing emotions and social support strategies than men.
  
  
  
  The development of functional coping strategies and of a high level of self-efficacy represents a key tool for adapting to caring for children with autism. Our results indicated the necessity of early intervention with parents to promote coping strategies, self-efficacy and high level of life satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: University of Córdoba.
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Luque Salas
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Yáñez Rodríguez
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tabernero Urbieta
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cuadrado
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires