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Iwamoto BK, Neece CL, Nair A, Rockwood NJ, Fenning RM, Krantz ML, Van Dyk TR. Exploring Bidirectional Relationships: Child Sleep Duration, Child Behavior Problems, and Parenting Stress in Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2023; 106:102197. [PMID: 37484880 PMCID: PMC10358315 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at-risk for sleep and behavior problems, and their parents are at-risk for high stress. Child sleep duration, behavior problems, and parenting stress are interrelated; however, directionality of these associations is unclear and research including youth with ASD is lacking. Using a day-to-day, within-person design, this study explores the directionality of these relationships in families of children with ASD. Method Twenty-six children (ages 3-5, 73.1% male, 65.4% Hispanic/Latino) with ASD and their mothers participated in a 14-day study. Child sleep duration (parent-report and actigraphy), behavior problems, and parenting stress were measured daily. Constructs were decomposed into their within- and between-person components and analyzed with random intercept cross-lagged panel models. Results While between-person relationships were directionally expected in that shorter sleep, more behavior problems, and greater parenting stress were associated, within-person relationships were complicated. Better-than-average child behavior was associated with less next-day parenting stress, yet more parenting stress than average was associated with better next-day child behavior. As expected, longer-than-average child sleep was associated with less next-day parenting stress, while greater child behavior problems were associated with less sleep that night. Conclusions Understanding the directionality of associations between child and parent factors allows for the optimization of interventions to improve the quality of life for families of children with ASD. Interventions that target child behavior and/or help parents manage stress while maintaining effective parenting strategies for sleep and behavior may be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke K. Iwamoto
- Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University; 11130 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States
| | - Cameron L. Neece
- Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University; 11130 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States
| | - Aarti Nair
- Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University; 11130 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States
| | - Nicholas J. Rockwood
- Division of Interdisciplinary Studies, Loma Linda University; 11065 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, United States
| | - Rachel M. Fenning
- Department of Psychological Science and The Claremont Autism Center, Claremont McKenna College; 850 Columbia Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711, United States
| | - Megan L. Krantz
- Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University; 11130 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States
| | - Tori R. Van Dyk
- Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University; 11130 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States
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Dimachkie Nunnally A, Factor RS, Sturm A, Valluripalli Soorya L, Wainer A, Taylor S, Ponzini M, Abbeduto L, Gulsrud AC. Examining indicators of psychosocial risk and resilience in parents of autistic children. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1102516. [PMID: 37255619 PMCID: PMC10226532 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1102516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Parents of autistic children experience increased levels of caregiver strain and adverse mental health outcomes, even in comparison to parents of children with other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Previous studies have largely attributed these increased levels of mental health concerns to their child behavioral concerns and autism symptomatology, but less attention has been given to other potential child factors, such as child adaptive functioning. Additionally, little is known about potential protective factors, such as parents' emotion regulation (ER) abilities, that may ameliorate the experience of caregiver strain, anxiety, and depression. Objective The current study examined the impact of child characteristics (restricted and repetitive behaviors, adaptive functioning and behavioral concerns) on parent mental health outcomes (caregiver strain, anxiety, depression and wellbeing). Additionally, we explore parents' ER abilities as a moderator of the impact of child characteristic on parents' mental health outcomes. Results Results of linear mixed effect models indicated a significant relationship between parents' ER abilities and all four parent outcomes. Additionally, children's adaptive functioning abilities and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) were significant predictors of caregiving strain. Parents' ER abilities were a significant moderator of the effect of children's repetitive behaviors and adaptive functioning challenges on caregiver strain, such that better ER abilities mitigated the impact of child clinical factors on caregiver strain. Finally, a significant difference was detected for mothers' and fathers' mental health, with mothers reporting higher caregiver strain, and more symptoms of anxiety and depression than did fathers. Conclusion This study leveraged a large sample of autistic children and their biological parents to examine the relationship between children's clinical characteristics and parents' psychological wellbeing. Results indicate that, although parents of autistic children do experience high rates of internalizing mental health concerns that relate to child adaptive functioning and RRBs, parent ER abilities act as a protective factor against parents' adverse mental health outcomes. Further, mothers in our sample reported significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and caregiver strain, as compared with fathers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Dimachkie Nunnally
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Reina S. Factor
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Alexandra Sturm
- Department of Psychological Science, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Latha Valluripalli Soorya
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Allison Wainer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sandra Taylor
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Matthew Ponzini
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Leonard Abbeduto
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Amanda C. Gulsrud
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Wang H, Liu S, Xu J, Hu X, Han ZR. Daily experiences and well-being of Chinese parents of children with autism. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023:13623613221144191. [PMID: 36594108 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221144191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT The present study examined the influences of child-related stress, parental coping and social support on parental daily subjective well-being (i.e. positive and negative affect, life satisfactory) in Chinese families of children with autism spectrum disorder. For 14 days, a total of 76 parents (58 mothers) participated in the study and completed daily diaries. For mothers, child-related stress was related to lower life satisfaction; social support was related to higher life satisfaction that day. These daily relations were not found for fathers. Across all parents, avoidant coping was associated with higher negative affect and lower positive affect on the same day. Notably, daily positive coping was related to greater same-day positive affect as well as greater same-day and next-day life satisfaction. Interventions aimed at increasing positive coping and social support, and reducing child-related stress and avoidant coping are important to help parents maintain well-being, particularly for mothers of children with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, China
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Gagat-Matuła A. Resilience and Coping with Stress and Marital Satisfaction of the Parents of Children with ASD during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12372. [PMID: 36231674 PMCID: PMC9566404 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Raising and caring for a child with ASD is a challenge for the parents' marriage relationship. Caring for a disabled child changes the functioning of the family and requires greater involvement in care and specialist therapy. The respondents' answers show that such parents experience higher levels of stress related to the upbringing and future of the child. However, parenting challenges need not be a negative experience if the parents support each other. The process of bringing up children in the family are related, inter alia, to the quality of their parents 'marriage, which is influenced by the partners' personal resources. The resilience of the partners and coping with this situation contribute to marital satisfaction. The aim of the study is to find out about the relationship between spouses' resilience and coping styles and their assessment of marriage satisfaction. In total, 50 married couples participated in the study-50 mothers of children with ASD and 50 fathers, the partners of these mothers (N = 100). The following tools were used: the Resilience Scale (SPP-25), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) and the Well-Matched Marriage Questionnaire (KDM-2), as well as a survey questionnaire (data on respondents). The results show that the gender of the parent of a child with ASD does not differentiate the overall assessment of the quality of marriage (the overall score on the scale indicates a low level of satisfaction with the relationship). When analyzing in detail the dimensions of individual scales of satisfaction with the relationship, one statistically significant difference was noted for the sex of the respondents in the disappointment dimension, showing that the level of disappointment in the quality of the relationship is higher in wives than in husbands. In the other dimensions of satisfaction with marriage: intimacy, personal fulfillment, similarity, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of gender of the respondents. The resilience of the spouses positively correlates with their assessment of marriage satisfaction, and in particular, openness, perseverance and determination to act increase the level of Task-oriented coping (SSZ) with difficult situations. All resilience factors negatively correlate with the emotional coping style (SSE). In both the studied groups, openness is a significant predictor of intimacy, and persistence is a predictor of self-fulfilment in a relationship. A predictor of disappointment in women is managing using substitute activities (ACZ), while in men it is the Emotion-oriented coping (SSE) style. The results indicate the need to support married couples raising a child with ASD during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gagat-Matuła
- Institute of Special Needs Education, School and Teachers Education, Pedagogical University of Cracow, 30-084 Cracow, Poland
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Potter SN, Harvey DJ, Sterling A, Abbeduto L. Mental Health Challenges, Parenting Stress, and Features of the Couple Relationship in Parents of Children With Fragile X Syndrome. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:857633. [PMID: 35432025 PMCID: PMC9012337 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.857633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) have significant delays in cognition and language, as well as anxiety, symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, and challenging behaviors such as hyperactivity and aggression. Biological mothers of children with FXS, who are themselves FMR1 premutation or full mutation carriers, are at elevated risk for mental health challenges in addition to experiencing stress associated with parenting a child with significant disabilities. However, little is known about fathers in these families, including the ways in which parental well-being influences the mother-father relationship and the impact of child characteristics on paternal and couple functioning. METHOD The current study examined features of, and relationships between, parental well-being, couple well-being, and child functioning in 23 families of young boys with FXS. Mothers and fathers independently completed multiple questionnaires about their individual well-being, couple functioning, and child behavior. One parent per family also completed an interview about the child's adaptive skills. RESULTS Results suggest that both mothers and fathers in these families experience clinically significant levels of mental health challenges and elevated rates of parenting stress relative to the general population. Findings also indicate that the couples' relationship may be a source of strength that potentially buffers against some of the daily stressors faced by these families. Additionally, parents who reported less parenting stress had higher couples satisfaction and dyadic coping. Finally, parents of children with less severe challenging behaviors exhibited fewer mental health challenges, less parenting stress, and higher levels of both couples satisfaction and dyadic coping. Parents of children with higher levels of adaptive behavior also reported less parenting stress and higher couples satisfaction. CONCLUSION Overall, this study provides evidence that families of children with FXS need access to services that not only target improvements in the child's functioning, but also ameliorate parental stress. Family-based services that include both mothers and fathers would lead to better outcomes for all family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nelson Potter
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Danielle J Harvey
- Department of Public Health Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Audra Sterling
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Leonard Abbeduto
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States
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Schiltz HK, Van Hecke AV. Applying the Vulnerability Stress Adaptation Model of Marriage to Couples Raising an Autistic Child: A Call for Research on Adaptive Processes. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2020; 24:120-140. [DOI: 10.1007/s10567-020-00332-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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7
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Goetz GL, Rodriguez G, Hartley SL. Actor-partner examination of daily parenting stress and couple interactions in the context of child autism. JOURNAL OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY : JFP : JOURNAL OF THE DIVISION OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (DIVISION 43) 2019; 33:554-564. [PMID: 30973257 PMCID: PMC6897294 DOI: 10.1037/fam0000527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk for poor couple relationship quality. The goal of the current study was to understand actor and partner associations between daily level of parenting stress and perceived couple interactions using a 14-day daily diary in 186 families of children with ASD. A comparison group of 182 families of children without a neurodevelopmental disability was included to determine if actor and partner associations differed in a context of child ASD. On each day of the 14-day diary, parents independently rated their daily level of parenting stress (7-point scale) and reported on the perceived presence of different types of positive (e.g., hugged and kissed) and negative (e.g., critical comment) couple interactions. Multilevel models were used to examine actor and partner effects, and their interaction, in mothers and fathers and by group (ASD vs. comparison). Results indicated that actor daily level of parenting stress negatively covaried with perceived positive couple interactions in mothers in both groups. In contrast, actor daily level of parenting stress positively covaried with perceived positive couple interactions in fathers in the ASD group. There was a significant interaction between actor and partner daily level of parenting stress for perceived negative couple interactions in both mothers and fathers. Specifically, one's own daily level of parenting stress was more strongly positively related to her/his perceived negative couple interactions on days when her/his partner also had high parenting stress. This interaction was stronger in mothers in the ASD versus comparison group. Implications for family interventions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta L Goetz
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies and Waisman Center
| | | | - Sigan L Hartley
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies and Waisman Center
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8
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Hartley SL, Hickey EJ, DaWalt L, Rodriguez G. Broader autism phenotype and couple interactions in parents of children with autism. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2019; 23:2068-2079. [PMID: 30995078 DOI: 10.1177/1362361319841312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The broader autism phenotype refers to sub-clinical autism spectrum disorder characteristics involving socially and emotionally aloof and rigid personality traits and social communication difficulties. Relatives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including parents, evidence an increased rate of broader autism phenotype. The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between actor (one's own) and partner (their partner's) broader autism phenotype and the self-reported, observed, and physiological (i.e. electrodermal reactivity) markers of the quality of videotaped couple problem-solving interactions in 158 couples, who had a child with autism spectrum disorder (aged 5-12 years). The mean age of mothers was 39.79 (standard deviation = 5.06) years and the mean age of fathers was 41.77 (standard deviation = 6.02) years for fathers, and 36.6% of parents did not have a college degree. Actor-partner interdependence models, using structural equation modeling in analysis of moment structures, were conducted. Results indicated that parent broader autism phenotype was positively related to adverse couple problem-solving interactions across all measurement methods (observed codes, self-reported affect, and electrodermal reactivity). These effects were independent of child-related challenges. The effect of parent broader autism phenotype occurred through both actor and partner pathways and was strongest for father broader autism phenotype.
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9
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Dovgan K, Mazurek MO. Impact of multiple co-occurring emotional and behavioural conditions on children with autism and their families. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2019; 32:967-980. [PMID: 30941865 DOI: 10.1111/jar.12590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comorbid conditions are very common in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can affect school performance, adaptive skills and peer relationships. Comorbid conditions place strain on the family as well as the individual with ASD. This project aimed to determine the affect of comorbid conditions over and above child and family characteristics. METHODS The present authors examined 3,055 cases of children with ASD who had varying numbers of comorbid conditions (i.e., ADHD, depression, anxiety or behaviour problems). RESULTS Multiple comorbid conditions did have a unique impact on difficulties accessing services. A greater number of comorbid conditions impacted daily activity participation, but not a family's receipt of mental health care or respite, work changes or number of weekly hours dedicated to caring for a child with ASD. CONCLUSIONS Families, practitioners, paraprofessionals and educators of children with autism should address comorbid conditions to ensure both child and family well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Dovgan
- Department of Psychology, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York
| | - Micah O Mazurek
- Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
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Azad GF, Gormley S, Marcus S, Mandell DS. Parent-teacher problem solving about concerns in children with autism spectrum disorder: The role of income and race. PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS 2019; 56:276-290. [PMID: 34045777 DOI: 10.1002/pits.22205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Problem solving between parents and teachers is critical to maximizing student outcomes. The current study examined the associations among the different components of problem solving, as well as the relationship between various characteristics and problem solving in parents and teachers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants were 18 teachers and 39 parents of children with ASD. Parents and teachers completed a demographic survey, phone interview, and dyad observation. Results indicated that parent and teacher problem solving strategies were correlated with each other. Lower-income parents and parents interacting with White teachers displayed less problem solving. Findings suggest that school-based service delivery models to improve problem solving should consider both skill development, as well as the sociodemographic characteristics that parents and teachers bring to their interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gazi F Azad
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland.,Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sara Gormley
- Center for Mental Health Policy & Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Steve Marcus
- Center for Mental Health Policy & Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - David S Mandell
- Center for Mental Health Policy & Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Dieleman LM, Soenens B, Vansteenkiste M, Prinzie P, Laporte N, De Pauw SSW. Daily Sources of Autonomy-Supportive and Controlling Parenting in Mothers of Children with ASD: The Role of Child Behavior and Mothers’ Psychological Needs. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 49:509-526. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3726-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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12
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Flippin M, Watson LR. Parental Broad Autism Phenotype and the Language Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 48:1895-1907. [PMID: 29307040 PMCID: PMC5949081 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3431-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Father-child and mother-child interactions were examined in order to investigate concurrent associations between three characteristics of parental broad autism phenotype (i.e., aloofness, rigidity, pragmatic language deficits), parental verbal responsiveness, and language skills of children with ASD. Results for mothers indicated that aloofness and rigidity were negatively associated with both child-initiated engagement and child language skills. Maternal aloofness was also negatively correlated with verbal responsiveness to their children, but rigidity was not. Results suggest that the association between aloofness and child language are potentially mediated by maternal use of responsive verbal behaviors. Maternal pragmatic language deficits were not concurrently related to child-initiated engagement or language skills. In contrast, for fathers, aloofness and rigidity were unrelated to child-initiated engagement and language skills. Paternal pragmatic deficits were also not associated with child language, however significant positive associations were found between paternal pragmatic language deficits and frequency of child-initiated engagement. Results are discussed in reference to potential clinical implications and directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Flippin
- Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA.
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Sotoudeh Navroodi SO, Nicknam M, Ahmadi A, Roodbarde FP, Azami S. Examining the Effectiveness of Group Positive Parenting Training on Increasing Hope and Life Satisfaction in Mothers of Children with Autism. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2018; 13:128-134. [PMID: 29997658 PMCID: PMC6037574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders are exposed to mental distress because of having a disabled child more than parents with children with other psychological disorders, and their children's disorder has a negative effect on their hope and life satisfaction. The present study aimed to examining the effectiveness of group positive parenting training on increasing hope and life satisfaction in mothers of children with autism. Method: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest, posttest, and control and experimental groups. Mothers with autistic children (6-15 years) in Rasht consisted the statistical population of the study. All the children had a medical record and autism diagnosis based on DSM-IV-TR by a psychiatrist. Hope Questionnaires by Snyder and Life Satisfaction Questionnaire by Diener were implemented. Participants of the experimental group received positive parenting training for 8 sessions, and participants of the control group were put in the state of waiting. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) and inferential statistics (univariate and multivariate covariance analysis) were used for data analysis. Results: In this study, 27 mothers of children with autism were examined. The mean and standard deviation of the age of mothers in the experimental group was 36.14± 2.47 years and it was 37± 3.62 years for mothers in the control group. The results of univariate covariance analysis revealed a significant difference between the scores of pretest and posttest of the experimental and control groups in life satisfaction (Sum of square = 16.558, F = 13.534, DF = 1, P = 0.002, 〖=ƞ〗^2 = 0.361). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that using group positive parenting training can have a positive effect on dimensions of hope and life satisfaction in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mojgan Nicknam
- Department of Psychology, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran
| | - Ameneh Ahmadi
- Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Corresponding Author: Address: Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Tel: 98-2155421959, Fax: 98-2155421959,
| | | | - Saeed Azami
- Hoshiar Mental Health Institute, Tehran, Iran.
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14
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Social Support as Mediator and Moderator of the Relationship Between Parenting Stress and Life Satisfaction Among the Chinese Parents of Children with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 48:1181-1188. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3448-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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15
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Hartley SL, Papp LM, Mihaila I, Bussanich PM, Goetz G, Hickey EJ. Couple Conflict in Parents of Children with versus without Autism: Self-Reported and Observed Findings. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2017; 26:2152-2165. [PMID: 29097880 PMCID: PMC5661987 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-017-0737-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We compared the couple conflict of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to a comparison group of parents of children without disabilities using self-reported and observational measures. In total, 178 couples who had a child with ASD (aged 5-12 years) and 174 couples who had children without disabilities (aged 5-12 years), recruited from a Midwestern state in the United States, reported on couple conflict in everyday life and engaged in an observed couple conflict interaction. Parents of children with ASD reported more frequent, severe, and unresolved couple problems than the comparison group. Parents who had a child with ASD were observed to have less engaged, balanced, and cooperative couple conflict interactions, but demonstrated more positive affect and sensitivity towards one another, than parents in the comparison group. Group differences had small effect sizes. Findings have implications for marital therapy and relationship education programs.
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16
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Langley E, Totsika V, Hastings RP. Parental relationship satisfaction in families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A multilevel analysis. Autism Res 2017; 10:1259-1268. [PMID: 28339168 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Caring for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been linked to a range of negative outcomes for parents but less is known about the putative impact upon the parental couple relationship. The relationship satisfaction of parents of children with ASD was investigated using multilevel modeling. Mothers and fathers (146 couples) reported on their relationship satisfaction, their own well-being, and the behavior problems of the child with ASD and a sibling. Results indicated that mothers and fathers reported similar levels of relationship satisfaction and it was significantly and negatively associated with parental depression and the behavior problems of the child with ASD. Relationship satisfaction was unrelated to the behavior problems of a sibling, the number of children in the household, and family socioeconomic position (SEP). Further longitudinal research that captures a broader range of variables is required to build a theoretical understanding of relationship satisfaction in families of children with ASD. Current evidence suggests that early intervention routes targeting either child behavior problems, parental mental health, or the couple relationship have the potential to benefit inter-connected subsystems within the broader family system. Autism Res 2017. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1259-1268. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Langley
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 8UW, United Kingdom
| | - Vasiliki Totsika
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 8UW, United Kingdom
| | - Richard P Hastings
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 8UW, United Kingdom
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