Johnson NL, Bekhet AK, Zint E, Wang J, Pena S, Van Hecke A, Garnier-Villarreal M, Ng A. Correlations of Physical and Psychological Health in Parents of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
West J Nurs Res 2024;
46:532-540. [PMID:
38752509 DOI:
10.1177/01939459241253221]
[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] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have social communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive, and/or sensory behaviors or interests. The prevalence of ASD is now 1 in 36 individuals. Parents of individuals with ASD face challenges that can affect their physical and psychological well-being.
OBJECTIVE
With the long-term goal to tailor an exercise program, the purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) establish the baseline physical and mental health of parents of individuals with ASD and (2) estimate the relationship of physiologic variables with psychological variables of health for parents of individuals with ASD.
METHODS
This descriptive, cross-sectional study (N = 44) explored physical health measures and the correlation between physical and psychological health, using measures of anxiety, stress, parenting depression, and positive thinking for parents who care for individuals with ASD.
RESULTS
The common characteristics that these parents shared was high body fat and low physical activity. Body fat was negatively correlated to total step count (r = -0.428, P < .05), grip strength (r = -0.319, P < .5), and total distance walked in the week (r = -0.661, P < .01), and positively correlated to 5-times sit to stand (r = 0.337, P < .05). Low activity correlated to increased parenting stress of advocating for child's needs (r = -0.310, P = .043).
CONCLUSIONS
Understanding relationships between physical and psychological health informs effective interventions and support systems for parents. Parents need supports to be able to prioritize exercise. Future studies should include a larger sample to verify these effects.
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