A Descriptive Study to Assess the Level of Stress, Social Support and Life Satisfaction among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder at Selected Centres in Delhi

Parental involvement plays a critical role in the development of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and can promote children’s developmental and educational outcomes. This study aimed to compare mothers and fathers of children with ASD’s social support and education levels in relation to their level of involvement. Participants included 107 parents (61 mothers, 46 fathers) of children with ASD aged 2 to 7 years. Three instruments measured parents’ involvement, formal and informal social support, and education levels. As hypothesized, mothers reported higher levels of involvement than fathers, which related to their informal support (non-formal relatives), while fathers reported receiving greater formal support than mothers. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed unique gender differences in the predictors of parental involvement. For example, parental education positively predicted involvement only among fathers. Practical implications for services and child–family interventions are discussed.

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Impact of personal and social resources on parenting stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361316633033 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 155-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Anat Zaidman-Zait ◽

Pat Mirenda ◽

Eric Duku ◽

Tracy Vaillancourt ◽

Isabel M Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Behavior Problems ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Parenting Stress ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Family Dysfunction ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Social Resources ◽

Spectrum Disorder

This study examined the longitudinal associations between child behavior problems, coping strategies, social resources, and parenting stress in mothers of young children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants were 283 mothers who completed self- and child-report measures at the time of diagnosis and 2 years later. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to predict overall parenting stress. At diagnosis, the final model indicated that high levels of social support and mothers’ use of active engaged coping strategies were associated with lower levels of parenting stress. Conversely, high levels of child externalizing behavior problems, family dysfunction, and mothers’ use of disengaged coping strategies were associated with higher parenting stress. Two years later, high levels of parenting stress at diagnosis predicted increased parenting stress. In addition, high or increasing levels of social support predicted a decrease in parenting stress, while high or increasing levels of family dysfunction predicted increased stress. Finally, increased use of disengaged coping strategies and decreased use of active coping strategies over time predicted higher levels of parenting stress. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for the provision of targeted supports that are designed to enhance the personal and social resources available to mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder.

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