Family functioning, parenting stress and quality of life in mothers and fathers of Polish children with high functioning autism or Asperger syndrome

This study investigated the relationships among stress, intrapersonal resiliency factors (self-esteem, locus of control, and optimism) and quality of life [QOL] (physical health and mental health) among caregivers of children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASDs). Participants consisted of 113 caregivers of children with HFASDs (males = 38.1%, females = 61.9%; age range = 27–62; 93.6% Caucasians) and 47 caregivers of typically developing children (males = 29.8%; females = 70.2%; age range = 30–56; 93.3% Caucasians). They completed a set of self-rating surveys on perceived locus of control, self-esteem, optimism, and QOL. Within-group inferential statistical analyses were applied. For the HFASD group analyses, two simultaneous regression analyses were used to study the independent effects of the three intrapersonal variables on the physical health and mental health QOL of the caregivers. Intrapersonal factors predicted self-reported mental health QOL but not physical health QOL in caregivers of children with HFASDs.

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Quality of Life and Mental Health in Mothers and Fathers Caring for Children and Adolescents with Rare Diseases Requiring Long-Term Mechanical Ventilation

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17238975 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (23) ◽

pp. 8975

Author(s):

Johannes Boettcher ◽

Jonas Denecke ◽

Claus Barkmann ◽

Silke Wiegand-Grefe

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Family Functioning ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Rare Diseases ◽

Coping Mechanisms ◽

Mothers And Fathers

(1) Parents caring for children and adolescents with rare diseases fear the long-term progression of the child’s disease and the loss of their parental role. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life, mental health and associated protective factors of mothers and fathers caring for children with rare diseases requiring mechanical long-term ventilation. (2) In a cross-sectional design, data on quality of life, mental health, coping mechanisms, social support and family functioning from n = 75 affected families were collected using standardized psychometric questionnaires. (3) Mothers compared to fathers were significantly more impaired in their quality of life and mental health. Protective factors significantly associated with the respective outcomes for mothers were coping mechanisms, social support and family functioning, whereas for fathers solely the latter was found to be significant. Multiple regression analyses showed that family functioning may be the most important predictor of quality of life and mental health. (4) The results support the need for family-oriented care in parents of children with rare diseases. To reach optimal efficiency, health care providers should not only screen parents for psychosocial impairment but also provide interventions that consider gender-specific differences in psychological health.

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Autism and fetal androgens: Commentary on Levy et al. (Lancet 2009; 374: 1627-38)

10.31234/osf.io/ze8ps ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Martin Voracek

Keyword(s):

Asperger Syndrome ◽

High Functioning Autism ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Children With Autism ◽

In Utero ◽

Sex Hormone ◽

Mothers And Fathers ◽

High Functioning ◽

General Populations

Children with autism or high-functioning autism (Asperger syndrome), as well as their unaffected first-degree relatives (siblings, mothers, and fathers), have conspicuously lower (hypermasculinised) 2D:4D than healthy general populations controls. This finding has been independently replicated in by now some ten further reports. All in all, this points to a role of altered sex-hormone profiles, already arising in utero, in the pathways leading to the neurodevelopmental disorder autism.

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A nationwide survey on quality of life and associated factors of adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361312436848 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 15-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Yoko Kamio ◽

Naoko Inada ◽

Tomonori Koyama

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Associated Factors ◽

High Functioning Autism ◽

Nationwide Survey ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

High Functioning ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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An Integral Analysis of Wellbeing in Adults With Characteristics of High Functioning Autism

Integral Theory and Transdisciplinary Action Research in Education - Advances in Educational Technologies and Instructional Design ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-5873-6.ch013 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 287-313

Author(s):

Janice Marie Beler

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

High Functioning Autism ◽

Subjective Evaluation ◽

Integral Theory ◽

High Functioning ◽

Complex Process ◽

Education Levels ◽

Personal Wellbeing ◽

Good Research

Quality of life is generally assessed through objective measures including conditions relating to material living, productive activity, health measures, education levels, and economic standing. In contrast, wellbeing is a complex process involving subjective evaluation of the qualities and experiences that make life good. Research is plentiful with studies exploring autism and quality of life. Less information is available relating to wellbeing and autism, especially from first person perspectives. This research explored how autism characteristics shape understanding and experiences of wellbeing in individuals with characteristics of high functioning autism. The study made use of a multi-method research framework, integral methodological pluralism (IMP), based on Ken Wilber's integral theory, for gathering and understanding knowledge from diverse perspectives, styles, and methodologies. Findings contributed towards a more coherent and inclusive understanding of personal wellbeing in high functioning autism.

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