Fusão cognitiva, valores e a relação com os fatores psicossociais em cuidadores familiares de crianças diagnosticadas com transtorno do espectro autista

Abstract

Introduction: Family caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience burden, stress, anxiety, and depression. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) proposes that cognitive fusion, rigid adherence to thoughts, and disengagement from personal values are related to psychological distress. Objective: To investigate the correlations between cognitive fusion, values, and psychosocial factors (burden, stress, anxiety, and depression) among family caregivers of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Method: Exploratory-descriptive and correlational study involving children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Data were collected remotely using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Valued Living Questionnaire (VLQ), Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ), Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, t test, and ANOVA. Results: The sample consisted of 56 family caregivers, predominantly mothers (51; 91.1%), with a mean age of 36.8 years (±5.85). High prevalence rates of burden (53; 94.6%), depression (39; 69.6%), anxiety (37; 66.1%), and stress (29; 51.8%) were observed. Correlation analyses indicated that higher levels of burden were associated with higher scores of anxiety (ρ = 0.37, p < .001), depression (ρ = 0.32, p < .001), and stress (ρ = 0.35, p < .001). Cognitive fusion was also positively correlated with anxiety (ρ = 0.49, p < .001), depression (ρ = 0.61, p < .001), and stress (ρ = 0.46, p < .001), and negatively correlated with the importance (ρ = –0.44, p < .001) and consistency of personal values (ρ = –0.38, p < .001). Caregivers who reported comorbidities showed significantly higher scores on all psychological distress variables. In addition, the child’s age and caregiving duration were positively correlated with psychological distress variables. Conclusion: These findings contribute to the understanding of the processes involved in the emotional distress of family caregivers of children diagnosed with ASD, highlighting the relevance of cognitive fusion and values in relation to psychosocial factors.