Ansiedad y estilos de afrontamiento en padres y cuidadores de personas con Trastorno del Espectro Autista en una institución de Guayaquil, Ecuador, durante el periodo septiembre 2025 – febrero 2026

Abstract

The present study aimed to describe anxiety levels and coping styles in parents and caregivers of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental, and cross-sectional design was employed, involving a sample of 45 participants from the Neurorehabilitation Center, selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Data were collected using a sociodemographic form, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Brief COPE, both showing adequate internal consistency for this application (α = .967 and α = .879, respectively). Results showed that 44.4% of caregivers presented severe anxiety, while moderate and minimal levels reached 24.4% each, and mild anxiety accounted for 6.7%, indicating a significant presence of anxiety symptoms in the sample. Regarding coping styles, problem-focused strategies predominated, such as acceptance, planning, and active coping, followed by emotional and instrumental support. The least used strategies were substance use, behavioral disengagement, humor, and denial, reflecting a lower tendency toward maladaptive coping. Additionally, sociodemographic analysis revealed variations in anxiety and coping according to educational level, time since diagnosis, and the age of the individual with ASD, providing relevant information for understanding caregiver psychological well-being and the need to strengthen emotional, educational, and psychosocial support programs.