Effect of Web-Based education on Mothers' Anxiety regarding Behavioral Changes among their Children with Autism during Covid-19 Lockdown

Abstract

Egyptian mothers with autistic children have experienced psychological harm as a result of thecoronavirus pandemic 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Social distance prevented mothers with autistic childrenand their therapists from providing face-to-face assistance, preventing them from taking part in outpatienttherapy, and preventing them from remaining at home. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of web-based education on mothers’ anxiety regarding behavioral changes among their children with autism duringthe Covid-19 lockdown. Subjects and method: A purposive sample of 200 women with autistic childrenliving in Sohag City, Egypt, participated in this study using a quasi-experimental research approach. Five tools were used in this study: A self-administered questionnaire, the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System,The ASD Behavior Inventory, The Short Sensor, and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The link to the surveyusing the questionnaire, the scale, and the web-based education content was sent to the participants' mothersthrough Facebook and WhatsApp groups. Results: More than one-third of the participants in the studydisplayed an increase in repeated and constrained behaviors. Before the web-based education, mothers'anxiety was high; after the web-based education, it was low. Conclusion: The web-based education has abeneficial impact on lowering mothers' anxiety about behavioral changes in their autistic children during theCovid-19 lockdown. Recommendations: By offering mothers psychological assistance, web-basededucation about the behavioral changes seen in autistic children, COVID-19, and its preventive strategiesshould be taught to all mothers.