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Bradley RS, Staples GL, Quetsch LB, Aloia LS, Brown CE, Kanne SM. Associations Between Parenting Stress and Quality Time in Families of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:829-840. [PMID: 36626008 PMCID: PMC9830131 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05852-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Increased stress among parents of youth with ASD has been well-documented. However, research on aspects of the parent-child relationship and subsequent links to parenting stress is limited. We assessed parents (N = 511) of youth with ASD to examine relations between parenting stress and parent-child quality time (amount of quality time, shared enjoyment, synchronicity). Elevated parenting stress was associated with less time spent engaging with youth in shared activities and decreased parent and child enjoyment during shared interactions. Parents with elevated stress reported engaging in shared activities and experiencing synchronicity with their child less often than parents below the clinical threshold. Future research should emphasize longitudinal efforts examining the directionality of this relationship to better inform family-focused intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S Bradley
- University of Arkansas, 316B Memorial Hall, 72701, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
| | - Grace L Staples
- University of Arkansas, 316B Memorial Hall, 72701, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Lauren B Quetsch
- University of Arkansas, 316B Memorial Hall, 72701, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Lindsey S Aloia
- University of Arkansas, 316B Memorial Hall, 72701, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Cynthia E Brown
- Pacific University, College Way, 97116, Forest Grove, OR, USA
| | - Stephen M Kanne
- Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA
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Wang L, Xie Z, Zhao D. Spring is not yet here: raising a child with ASD in rural southwest China. Disabil Rehabil 2024; 46:322-333. [PMID: 36573417 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2161642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to reveal the parenting experiences of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in rural southwest China under the framework of ecological systems theory. MATERIALS AND METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 parents of children with ASD from rural southwest China and the interview data were analyzed using the three coding steps of the grounded theory method, namely open, axial, and selective coding. RESULTS The results showed four themes: challenges from within the family; relationships between parents, the school, and the community; scarcity and low accessibility of available resources and services; the culture of discriminating against people with disabilities and the loss of eligibility for welfare. The mismatch between the needs of families of children with ASD and the resources available in social-environmental systems is the major issue faced by parents. CONCLUSIONS Raising a child with ASD in rural southwest China is affected by the interactions between the families and the internal structures in different environmental systems. The culture of discriminating against people with disabilities formed in the macrosystem could be the essential factor that affects the smoothness of the parenting process of children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Wang
- Department of Special Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengli Xie
- Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Dehu Zhao
- Department of Special Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, People's Republic of China
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Hou Y, Yan T, Deng M. A Qualitative Study on Parental Experience of Involvement in the Transition from Kindergarten to Primary School for Chinese Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:4872-4887. [PMID: 36109470 PMCID: PMC9483495 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05743-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Parental involvement plays a vital role in the transition from kindergarten to primary school among children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs); this study aims to explore Chinese parents' experiences of parental involvement during this period. Informed by interpretive phenomenological analysis, semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were held with 10 parents. Three major themes were identified: (1) "aggressive" involvement; (2) factors in transforming parental involvement; and (3) "rational" involvement. Participants reported their perceptions, attitudes, and parenting behaviors in different phases of involvement in the transition to primary school. These findings highlight the need to support parents of children with IDDs during this time of change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Hou
- Early Childhood Education College, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingrui Yan
- Special Education Department, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Zhongshan North Street, No.3663, 200062, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Meng Deng
- Special Education Department, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Zhongshan North Street, No.3663, 200062, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Cheng SL, Cheng S, Liu S, Li Y. What happened to parents' views of school success for autistic children during the COVID-19 pandemic? Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1211041. [PMID: 37692316 PMCID: PMC10492093 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1211041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The educational views of parents with autistic children directly impacts their children's academic success. However, little research has been done on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted parents' academic and social views. Aim This study analyzes parents' views of school success for their autistic children in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and examines the relationships among pandemic stress, parental involvement, and parents' views of school success for autistic children in mainland China. Methods In this study, 713 parents of autistic children completed measures assessing their pandemic stress, parental involvement, and views of school success; linear regression and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. Results Parents' views of school success were influenced by factors such as parents' level of education, household income, parents' gender, and children's age. The effects of pandemic stress on views of school success for parents of autistic children are complex: physical and mental reaction has a negative direct effect on views of school success, a positive indirect effect mediated by parental involvement, and a net positive effect; risk perception and concern has a negative indirect effect; and both the direct and indirect effects of pragmatic hopefulness are positive. Education policymakers and practitioners need to seriously and carefully assess these results' implications for modern, inclusive education.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sanyin Cheng
- School of Philosophy and Social Development, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Lin Y, Wang Y, Lin C, Ni Q, Jia R, Chang Y, Qi Y. The mediating role of perceived social support: alexithymia and parental burnout in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1139618. [PMID: 37359855 PMCID: PMC10290202 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1139618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Parental burnout is a concept that reflects the emotional exhaustion and emotional distance of parents from children due to their inability to cope with the pressure of parenting. It has been confirmed that parents of autistic children are at higher risk for parental burnout. Additional research has suggested a relationship between parental burnout and parents' personality traits. However, the relationship between alexithymia, an independent personality factor, with parental burnout is little to none. Objective To look into the connection between parental burnout and alexithymia among parents of autistic children. Method Three hundred and one parents were approached for recruitment and data were collected from 203 parents through a cross-sectional survey assessing parental burnout, alexithymia status, and perceived social support. Because the data is not normally distributed, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient rho(p) was used to assess the correlation between the variables; and then using AMOS to analyze the mediating effects of perceived social support and the moderating effect of gender. Result The result showed that (1) There is a negative association between alexithymia with parental burnout (β = 0.6, p < 0.01), while perceive social support was the negative predictor of alexithymia (β = -0.45, p < 0.01) and parental burnout (β = -0.26, p < 0.01); (2) perceive social support partially mediated the relationship between alexithymia and parental burnout of parents of autistic children, which can explain 16.3% of the total effect; (3) Gender plays a moderating role in the first half of the indirect effect of alexithymia on parental burnout, as evidenced by the significant difference in path coefficients between the male and female models (male: β = -0.10, p < 0.05; female: β = -0.60, p < 0.05). Conclusion Health professionals and policymakers should be aware of parental burnout among parents of autistic children in China and take early intervention steps. Furthermore, they should recognize the negative impact of alexithymia and the positive impact of social support when developing plans to alleviate parental burnout in children with autism, with a particular focus on mothers with alexithymia, who are more likely to experience low social support and burnout than fathers with alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanting Lin
- Pediatric Rehabilitation Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Pediatric Rehabilitation Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chunhui Lin
- Pediatric Rehabilitation Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qingnan Ni
- Pediatric Rehabilitation Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruolin Jia
- Pediatric Rehabilitation Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanling Chang
- Pediatric Rehabilitation Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - YuanPing Qi
- Pediatric Rehabilitation Department, Qinghai Women and Children’s Hospital, Xining, China
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Yan T, Hou Y, Liang L. Family Socioeconomic Status and Parental Involvement in Chinese Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Moderated Mediation Model. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11091281. [PMID: 37174823 PMCID: PMC10177892 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11091281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Parental involvement benefits children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in multiple developmental areas. We conducted the present study to examine the role of parenting stress and ASD symptom severity in the relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and parental involvement. A total of 165 Chinese parents of children with ASD participated in this study. Mediation analyses indicated that family SES was positively related to parental involvement; parenting stress partially mediated the relationship between family SES and parental involvement. The analyses also found that ASD symptom severity moderated the influence of parenting stress on parental involvement. Specifically, the decreased parenting stress improved parental involvement when ASD symptom severity was low. The findings enhanced our understanding of the mechanism underlying the relationship between family SES and parental involvement among parents facing considerable child-rearing challenges. Implications for devising evidenced-based interventions to promote parental involvement for low SES children with ASD are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingrui Yan
- Special Education Department, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200026, China
| | - Yujia Hou
- Shanghai Institute of Early Childhood Education, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Luyao Liang
- Macquarie School of Education, Macquarie University, Sydney 2122, Australia
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Cheng S, Cheng S, Liu S, Li Y. Parents' pandemic stress, parental involvement, and family quality of life for children with autism. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1061796. [PMID: 36530705 PMCID: PMC9751346 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1061796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Research has shown that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffered high levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced poor family quality of life (FQOL). However, little is known about the inherent dynamic interaction between pandemic stress and FQOL, especially in the Chinese cultural context. Aims This study provides preliminary evidence by examining the relationships among pandemic stress, parental involvement, and FQOL for children with autism in mainland China. Method A total of 709 parents of children with autism completed measures of FQOL, parental involvement, and pandemic stress. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the interrelations among these variables. Results Pandemic stress has direct effect and indirect effect mediated by parental involvement on FQOL. Two dimensions of pandemic stress had a direct effect on FQOL (β1 = 0.11; β2 = -0.55) and three dimensions had an indirect effect on FQOL through parental involvement (β1 = -0.097; β2 = 0.257; β3 = 0.114). Conclusion Stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic affects family quality of life for children with autism in complex ways. Policies may be developed to enhance parental pragmatic hopefulness in the anti-epidemic victory and alleviate negative physical and mental reactions caused by the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sanyin Cheng
- School of Philosophy and Social Development, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Hsu TL, Deng F, Cheng S. An examination of parents' perceptions of developmental disability, social support, and health outcomes among Chinese American parents of children with developmental disabilities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2021; 69:663-674. [PMID: 37547551 PMCID: PMC10402836 DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2021.1994819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Asian immigrant parents raising children with developmental disabilities experience frustration, stress, social isolation, and poor health outcomes. Based on data collected from 55 Chinese American parents of children with developmental disabilities, this study examined the relationships between individual characteristics, parents' perceptions of developmental disability, social support, severity of disability, and parents' self-reported physical health and depressive symptoms. The findings showed that Chinese American parents exhibited different pathways for better health outcomes. Overall social support, specific support from family and friends/co-workers, and community involvement were significant correlates of maternal self-reported physical health and depressive symptoms. Fear of stigmatization was significantly and positively associated with maternal depressive symptoms. Similarly, education and employment status correlated with paternal self-reported physical health and depressive symptoms. The ages of parents and their children were found to be negatively correlated with paternal depressive symptoms. The child's disability severity level was not associated with parents' self-reported physical health and depressive symptoms. The findings also confirmed that parents' self-reported physical health status was significantly and negatively associated with their own depressive symptoms. Chinese American mothers experienced poor physical health and greater depressive symptoms compared to Chinese American fathers. The study's clinical implications and limitations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tze-Li Hsu
- Department of Sociology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
| | - Furjen Deng
- Department of Sociology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
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Musetti A, Manari T, Dioni B, Raffin C, Bravo G, Mariani R, Esposito G, Dimitriou D, Plazzi G, Franceschini C, Corsano P. Parental Quality of Life and Involvement in Intervention for Children or Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review. J Pers Med 2021; 11:894. [PMID: 34575671 PMCID: PMC8469292 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11090894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has examined several parental, child-related, and contextual factors associated with parental quality of life (QoL) among parents with a child or an adolescent with autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however, no systematic review has examined the relationship between parental QoL and parental involvement in intervention. To fill this gap, a systematic review was conducted using four electronic databases and checked reference lists of retrieved studies. Records were included in the systematic review if they presented original data, assessed parental QoL, and involvement in intervention for children or adolescents with ASD, were published in peer-reviewed journals between 2000 and 2020, and were written in English. Among the 96 screened full-texts, 17 articles met the eligibility criteria. The selected studies included over 2000 parents of children or adolescents with ASD. Three categories of parental involvement (i.e., none, indirect, direct) were identified, which varied across studies, although most had direct parental involvement. The results from this review show that increased parental involvement in the intervention for children or adolescents with ASD may be one way to promote their QoL. However, further research specifically focused on parental involvement during the intervention for children and adolescents with ASD is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Musetti
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Industries, University of Parma, Borgo Carissimi 10, 43121 Parma, Italy
| | - Tommaso Manari
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Industries, University of Parma, Borgo Carissimi 10, 43121 Parma, Italy
| | - Barbara Dioni
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Industries, University of Parma, Borgo Carissimi 10, 43121 Parma, Italy
- Fondazione Bambini e Autismo Onlus, 33170 Pordenone, Italy
| | - Cinzia Raffin
- Fondazione Bambini e Autismo Onlus, 33170 Pordenone, Italy
| | - Giulia Bravo
- Fondazione Bambini e Autismo Onlus, 33170 Pordenone, Italy
| | - Rachele Mariani
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Social and Affective Neuroscience Lab, Psychology Program-SSS, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639818, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921, Singapore
- Affiliative Behaviour and Physiology Lab, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University Trento, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - Dagmara Dimitriou
- Sleep Education and Research Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL-Institute of Education, London WC1H 0AA, UK
- The National Institute for Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Behavioural Change (NISAD), 252 21 Helsingborg, Sweden
| | - Giuseppe Plazzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna (ISNB), 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Paola Corsano
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Industries, University of Parma, Borgo Carissimi 10, 43121 Parma, Italy
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