Objective: This study examined the correlations between receiving care in patient-centered medical home and maternal reports of their mental health and parenting stress in a national sample of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method: Participants were 1108 mothers of children with ASD (average age = 10.6 years; 81% male) from the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children’s Health. Multiple linear regression analysis and polynomial logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate if having a child with ASD cared for in a patient-centered medical home was significantly associated with maternal reports of their parenting stress and mental health. We also assessed whether 5 indicators of the American Academy of Pediatrics medical home definition were differentially associated with maternal outcomes. Results: Receiving care in a patient-centered medical home was associated with maternal reports of less parenting stress (standardized β = −0.201; P < .001) and better mental health (odds ratios range from 0.204 to 0.360; P < .001) after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Of the 5 indicators of the medical home definition, only effective care coordination was significantly associated with maternal perceptions of their parenting stress and mental health. Conclusion: Future longitudinal studies are needed to assess the temporal associations between patient-centered medical home status and maternal perceptions of their mental health and parenting stress in mothers of children with ASD.
Mental health, substance abuse, and health behavior intervention as part of the patient-centered medical home: a case study