Dyadic coping and coparenting among couples after their child’s recent autism diagnosis

Abstract

This study explores how parenting couples use their relationship to support each other after their child’s autism diagnosis by assessing the role of dyadic coping and parenting sense of competence as predictors of their coparenting quality. Mothers and fathers raising a child on the spectrum ( N = 70 couples) individually completed self-report questionnaires measuring stress appraisal, dyadic coping, parenting sense of competence, and coparenting. Parents were recruited 1–36 months after their child’s autism diagnosis and data were analyzed using the actor-partner interdependence model. Parents’ dyadic coping and sense of competence were related to their level of coparenting. Partner effects were found as mothers’ dyadic coping was positively linked to fathers’ coparenting and a higher sense of competence among fathers predicted mothers’ coparenting. Further research is needed to understand how these effects evolve throughout the child’s development stages. Lay abstract We investigated how couples support each other after their child’s autism diagnosis and whether this affects the way they work together to raise their child. We recruited 70 couples raising a child on the autism spectrum. Both partners were asked to complete the same questionnaires measuring how they perceived the experience of having a child on the autism spectrum, how they used their relationship to support each other during stressful situations, how competent they felt completing their parenting tasks, and the coparenting relationship to explore how they worked together as a team when parenting their child. Parents participated in the study 1–36 months after their child’s autism diagnosis. We used statistical techniques that allowed us to see the impact mothers and fathers had on each other. Overall, parents who felt more competent and supported by their partner worked better as a team to raise their child on the spectrum. Fathers invested in the coparenting relationship more when mothers felt more supported by fathers. Mothers invested in the coparenting relationship more when fathers felt more competent parenting their child. Further research is needed to better understand how we can support couples as their child gets older.

Effects of Parental Intimacy and Self-disclosure on Dyadic Coping in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Entering School

“…Prior research (Brisini and Solomon, 2020a, Solomon et al, 2016) has shown that children with ASD are more likely to feel safe when their parents have a strong and intimate relationship. Moreover, parental intimacy can positively impact children's social skill development (Downes et al, 2022). When parents share an intimate relationship, they model healthy social behaviors and communication styles for their children, who can learn from their example and subsequently apply these behaviors and communication styles to their own social interactions (Ledermann and Kenny, 2012).…”

“…Dyadic coping (DC) (Downes et al, 2022) refers to parents' collaborative efforts to manage stress, and it is an important promoting factor for resilience in couples facing adversity. However, little is known about how parental intimacy and self-disclosure in uence dyadic coping among parents with a child with ASD who is starting school.…”

Psychological and pedagogical support for the quality of life of persons with disabilities

“…Psychological and pedagogical support for the quality of life of persons with disabilities. International Journal of Health Sciences, 6(2), 1108Sciences, 6(2), -1122 https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6n2.11330 Downes et al (2022), in their study, investigated how parenting couples use their relationships to support each other after their child's autism diagnosis, assessing the role of dyadic coping and sense of parenting competence as predictors of quality co-parenting. Mothers and parents raising a child on the spectrum (N = 70 pairs) individually completed self-assessment questionnaires measuring stress ratings, dyadic coping, sense of parenting competence, and shared paternalism.…”

Parent-to-parent support among parents of children with autism: A review of the literature

“…The growing number of autistic children poses an increased need for services to support these children and their families. Parents 1 of children with autism have described receiving their child’s autism diagnosis as intensely emotional and followed by mixed emotions including relief, despair, confusion, self-blame, and increased stress (Downes et al, 2022; Rabba et al, 2019). Parents report undergoing an adjustment period that was accompanied by feelings of isolation and loneliness, stressful transitions, and difficulties in managing their home and work responsibilities and making treatment decisions for their child’s needs (Keen et al, 2010; Mandell & Salzer, 2007; Rabba et al, 2019; Watt & Wagner, 2013).…”