The effects of recreational activities on depressive symptoms and burnout level of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders

Several studies revealed some mood disorders such as depression and burnout in nursing parents as a result of difficulties brought by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms. On the other hand, recreative activities have a therapeutic effect on mental health. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of physical activity-based recreation on mothers' depression and burnout levels. Fifteen mothers of children with ASD were included in the single-group pre-test and post-test experimental design study. Beck Depression Inventory and Maslach Burnout Inventory were applied to mothers to determine depression and burnout levels before and after the one-week camp. According to the results of the paired sample t-test, the depression levels of the mothers decreased significantly after the camp, whereas burnout levels remained the same. While depression and burnout levels of the mothers were moderately correlated before the recreation camp, they did not correlate following the recreation camp. It can be concluded that burnout emotional state in parents of children with ASD may correlate with depression which that might be reduced as a result of physical activity based recreative activities. Further longitudinal studies including quantitative and qualitative research methods are needed to determine the cause-effect relationship and create effective recreational programs for families of children with ASD.