Attachment Patterns as a Predictor of Self-compassion in Mothers of Autistic Children: A Field Study of Some Centers and Clinics in the State of Ouargla

Abstract

The current study aims to reveal the nature of the relationship between attachment patterns and self-compassion among mothers of autistic children. This is in addition to knowing the possibility of predicting compassion in particular through the attachment patterns of the study sample. This is done by asking the following questions:

1- Is there a correlation between the patterns of attachment and self-compassion among mothers of autistic children?

2- What is the most common attachment pattern for mothers of autistic children?

3- What is the level of self-compassion for autistic children?

4- Is it possible to predict self-compassion through the attachment pattern of autistic children’s mothers?

We validate the hypotheses using the descriptive correlational approach.Two tools were used (the scale of adult attachment patterns prepared by Abu Ghazal and Jaradat (2009), the self-compassion scale prepared by Neff (2003) and translated by Abdel Rahman and others) on a sample of mothers of autistic children consisting of forty (40) mothers of autistic children.

After processing the data statistically, the results of the study hypotheses were as follows:

1- There is a positive correlation between the pattern of attachment and self-compassion among mothers of autistic children.

2- Mothers of autistic children are characterized by a high level of secure attachment pattern.

3- Mothers of autistic children are characterized by an average level of self-compassion.

4- Self-compassion can be predicted by the autistic children mothers’ attachment pattern.

These results were discussed and interpreted in light of the theoretical heritage and previous studies