We developed a parenting resilience elements questionnaire (PREQ) measuring the degree to which mothers possess elements that aid in adapting to challenges and difficulties related to children with developmental disorders (DD). A total of 424 parents of children with DD were recruited from five medical institutes. Psychometric properties of PREQ were evaluated using data of 363 mothers of children with DD. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was performed, predicting depressive symptoms and parenting behavior with PREQ subscales, a general health questionnaire, and the total difficulties score of a strength and difficulties questionnaire. Factor analysis revealed three reliable factors: “knowledge of the child’s characteristics,” “perceived social supports,” and “positive perceptions of parenting.” Moreover, multiple regression analysis showed that “knowledge of the child’s characteristics” was associated with parenting behavior, whereas “perceived social supports” predicted depressive symptoms; “positive perceptions of parenting” influenced both parenting behavior and depressive symptoms. These findings indicated that the PREQ may be used as a scale measuring resiliency in mothers of children with DD and is useful for evaluating their parenting ability in clinical interventions.

The challenges of rearing a child with developmental disorders are associated with high levels of parental stress, depression, and other negative emotions. Thus, clinicians frequently set one of the intervention goals to be parent adaptation to such challenges, which we call parenting resilience for rearing children with developmental disorders. In this article, we reviewed research on general resilience and mental health in parents of children with developmental disorders and proposed a construct of parenting resilience for this population. In our framework, parenting resilience is defined as the process of positive adaptation to the difficulties of rearing children with developmental disorders and consists of internal (e.g., positive perception, skill, coping style, and efficacy) and external (e.g., social support) factors. We discussed future directions for the application of parenting resilience in parents of children with developmental disorders. resilience, parents, developmental disorders, developmental disabilities, developmental psychology

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Sensory processing abnormalities are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and previous studies have shown a positive correlation between sensory processing and internalizing problems. This study examines the role of sensory processing abnormalities and difficulties resulting from sensory processing abnormalities on relationships between autistic traits and internalizing problems in Japanese female university students. One hundred and twelve female university students completed a questionnaire about their autistic traits, sensory processing, awareness of difficulties resulting from sensory processing abnormalities, and internalizing problems. Analysis of the data reveals that autistic traits correlate with low registration and sensation avoiding. Moreover, those who scored high on these indicators, demonstrated difficulties resulting from sensory processing abnormalities as the cause of internalizing problems.

Parents of children with intellectual disabilities and/or physical disabilities are supposed to have an increased risk for parenting stress and psychological distress. We as professional caregivers sometimes experience difficulties in keeping good relations or communicating with the parents. Professional workers in 460 institutions and consultation centers throughout Japan answered a questionnaire on their clinical experiences. About 90% of the facilities experienced “distressed parents,” and the parents' condition such as mental health seemed to influence this. Signs of a depressive state were the most common psychiatric disturbances detected, and it was notable in the pervasive developmental disorder group. More welfare support, presence of support groups, support from other family members, and medical treatment of the parents' problems were considered to be helpful and thus requested to be improved. Training more professionals who can properly deal with the parents' mental health needs is an urgent matter that must be tackled.

It is suggested that both neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and subsequent higher plasma TC are associated factors for prolonged jaundice.

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