Abstract:

The aim of the study was to compare children with ASD from families with low and medium financial status in terms of their mood and dominant emotions during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study involved 120 children diagnosed with a spectrum of autistic disorders - Asperger's syndrome (ASD), aged 11 - 14 years. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, two groups were distinguished - A with low material status (N = 62), and B with average material status (N = 58). The following tools were used to achieve the goal: the Mood Scale by B. Wojciszke and W. Barył, and the Emotions Questionnaire by B. Wojcieszke and W. Barył, as well as a self-written questionnaire. The analysis of data on the experienced emotions and mood of children with ASD from families with low and medium financial status during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic showed statistically significant differences in the groups on the scales of fear, sadness and negative mood. The results indicate that children with ASD from families with low financial status experience higher levels of fear and sadness than children with ASD from families with average financial status. Moreover, children with ASD from poor families have a more negative mood than children with ASD from families with an average financial status. The results are statistically significant.