ERIC Number: EJ1389893
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2047-3869
EISSN: EISSN-2047-3877
Available Date: N/A
Comorbidity of Mental Health and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Perception of Practitioners in Management of Their Challenging Behaviour
Khasakhala, Edward; Bota, Kennedy; Ayaga, Godfrey; Sichari, Manson; Wesonga, Benard; Kokonya, Donald
International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, v69 n3 p386-397 2023
The relationship between mental health problems, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and challenging behaviour among children and adolescents is complex and multifaceted. The study investigated practitioners' perception of comorbidity of mental health and ASD in the management of challenging behaviours among children and adolescents in Kenya. Target population was 3490 practitioners. Sample size was 1047, comprising of 38 assessment staff, 27 mental health workers 548 regular teachers, 294 teachers from special schools, and 140 teachers from special units for children with ASD. Stratified and purposive sampling techniques were used. Interviews and structured questionnaires were used. Test-retest yielded a coefficient of 0.78 while Cronbachs' reliability coefficient was 0.830. There was a positive significant correlation between perception of challenging behaviours and mental health problems (r = 0.415, p = 0.000). Challenging behaviour perceptions have a negative significant effect on behaviour management strategies, ([beta] = -0.163, p = 0.000) implying that the choice of management strategies is dependent on the perceptions. Challenging behaviours accounts for 2.7% variance in the choice of the management strategies, R[superscript 2] = 0.027, F(1,1045) = 28.471, p = 0.000.The practitioners' perception of mental health and comorbid ASD, showed that children with ASD, when enduring life stressors, can be at a higher risk of mental health difficulties than their peers There is need for multidisciplinary synergy in developing effective challenging behaviour programmes for children and adolescents with ASD.
Descriptors: Mental Health, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Comorbidity, Behavior Problems, Children, Adolescents, Foreign Countries, Mental Health Workers, Special Education Teachers, Student Behavior, Classroom Techniques, Teacher Attitudes, Attitudes
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Kenya
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A