Subjective Burden and Depression in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in India: Moderating Effect of Social Support.

Prerna and her team asked Indian mothers of children with autism to fill out three short forms. One form measured how heavy caregiving felt. One tracked depression signs. One asked who supports them.

The mothers lived in cities across India. All had a child with an autism diagnosis. The survey took about 20 minutes.

Half of the mothers scored in the clinically depressed range. Higher caregiving load predicted higher depression.

Only family support lowered depression and softened the load. Support from friends or partners did not help.

Fahmie et al. (2013) pooled data from many countries and showed parents of kids with autism feel more stress than any other parent group. Prerna’s numbers now show this same high stress turns into clinical depression for Indian moms.

McGarty et al. (2018) looked at moms in a Western sample. They found romantic satisfaction, not family support, protected against depression. The two studies seem to clash, but they measured different support sources. In India the extended family lives nearby and handles daily help; in the West the partner is often the main backup. Culture shapes which relationship matters.

Burrows et al. (2018) widened the lens. They showed family resources, parenting confidence, and correct autism knowledge also buffer stress. Prerna’s finding is now part of a bigger rule: give caregivers real, usable help and mood improves.

If you serve Indian families, invite grandparents, aunts, and uncles into training sessions. Teach them autism facts and coping skills. A united extended family can cut a mother’s depression risk in half. For other cultures, ask who lives in the home and tailor support to that circle.