Hope, social relations, and depressive symptoms in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Ekas, Naomi V.; Pruitt, Megan M.; McKay, Erin R.

doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2016.05.006

Cited by 39 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…In Study 2, using a different measure of resilience, higher levels of resilience was associated with less depressive symptoms, lower anxiety, less loneliness, and better family functioning in mothers of children with ASD. These findings support a growing body of literature showing that positive characteristics (e.g., optimism, hope) of a parent of child with DD are associated with fewer negative outcomes and increased positive outcomes (Ekas, Pruitt, & McKay, 2016;Ekas, Keylon, Pruitt, Ghilain, & Alessandri, 2015;Ekas, Lickenbrock, & Whitman, 2010;Hastings & Taunt, 2002;Lloyd & Hastings, 2009). One aspect that can be explored further is to examine the attributes of "resilient mothers."…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Associations Between Resilience and the Well-Being of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities

Halstead

Ekas

Hastings

et al. 2018

J Autism Dev Disord

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There is variability in the extent to which mothers are affected by the behavior problems of their children with developmental disabilities (DD). We explore whether maternal resilience functions as a protective or compensatory factor. In Studies 1 and 2, using moderated multiple regression models, we found evidence that maternal resilience functioned as a compensatory factor-having a significant independent main effect relationship with well-being outcomes in mothers of children with DD and autism spectrum disorder. However, there was no longitudinal association between resilience and maternal well-being outcomes. There was little evidence of the role of resilience as a protective factor between child behavior problems and maternal well-being in both studies.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Associations Between Resilience and the Well-Being of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities

Halstead

Ekas

Hastings

et al. 2018

J Autism Dev Disord

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“…Mothers of children with ASD have previously reported feelings of loneliness and feeling socially isolated (Ekas et al . 2016). Similar to this existing research, fathers in the current study stated that they were unable to do some of the things they used to, such as going out to eat in restaurants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parenting experiences of fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder with or without intellectual disability

Rafferty

Tidman

Ekas

2020

J intellect Disabil Res

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Background Fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report more challenges than fathers of typically developing children, which also negatively impacts their psychological wellbeing. Although not studied to the same extent in fathers of children with ASD, the challenges experienced by fathers of typically developing children have been shown to impact parenting behaviours. Many children with ASD also have intellectual disability (ID), which adds additional parenting stress. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine perceptions of parenting roles and father-child relationship quality in fathers of children with ASD and ASD/ID. Methods Twenty-eight fathers of children with ASD (n = 12) and ASD/ID (n = 16) completed a telephone interview. A phenomenological approach was used by two investigators to analyse the interviews. Both investigators coded the interviews and then discussed the final themes. Results Five major themes emerged. One theme that emerged was pre-birth expectations, and the remaining themes related to the post-diagnosis period: adjustments, experiences, co-parenting and quality of father-child relationship. Both fathers of a child with ASD and ASD/ID reported on all themes. Conclusions Overall, fathers of children with ASD and ASD/ID reported similarly on the themes that emerged. Future research with more diverse samples is needed to continue to understand the fatherhood experience. The findings of this study have implications for the development of parent-focused programmes that are tailored to fathers' unique experiences.

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“…Mindfulness based interventions, emotional writing, and acceptance commitment therapy interventions demonstrated medium effect sizes on parental well-being, including measures of stress and depression. Some of these interventions were self-adminstered, which may not address the sense of isolation and lack of peer support that many parents with children with DD experience (Ekas et al 2016). Of note was an RCT that used peer mentors and tested a positive psychology based intervention using experiental exercises that included gratitude and optimism over 6 weeks of group sessions (Dykens et al 2014).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are some randomized control trials of hope theory-based interventions (Cheavens et al 2006) which show reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. In relation to parents of children with DD, hope is indirectly associated with depression symptoms, via family support and loneliness, in mothers of children with ASD (Ekas et al 2016). Increasing hope may then improve depression.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-Management Support Intervention for Parents of Children with Developmental Disorders: The Role of Gratitude and Hope

et al. 2019

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Objectives Many parents of children with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit disorders, experience poor well-being and increased anxiety and depression. Very few interventions directly target parents' needs. The peer-delivered HOPE Programme was designed to address this with six weekly group sessions focusing on self-management skills, including goal setting and expressing gratitude. Methods This pre-post study aimed to examine changes in anxiety, depression, well-being, hope and gratitude, and to explore associations between changes in anxiety and depression and changes in gratitude and hope. Validated measures of depression, anxiety, positive well-being, gratitude and hope were used. Parents of children with a range of developmental disabilities, most commonly autism spectrum disorders, were recruited. Results Of 137 (86.9% female) recruited, 108 parents completed the course and post-course data. Parents' depression, anxiety, well-being, gratitude and hope all significantly improved between baseline and post-course. Hope and gratitude correlated significantly with depression, anxiety and well-being. Baseline depression, baseline gratitude, post-course hope and gratitude explained 50% of the variance in post-course depression. Reduced work hours, and baseline and post-course hope and gratitude explained 40% of the variance in post-course well-being. Anxiety was not associated to hope nor gratitude at either time point. Conclusions This study provides initial support for feasibility and potential effect of the peer delivered self-management intervention on parental anxiety and depression. Changes in gratitude and hope account for some change in depression, but not anxiety. A randomised controlled trial is needed to establish efficacy and explore mechanisms of change in-depth. Keywords Autism spectrum disorders • Parents • Self-management • Well-being • Developmental disability Research has documented elevated levels of parental stress and distress experienced by parents raising children with developmental disorders (DD) or disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or other learning disabilities (Gordon and Hinshaw 2015; Hassall and Rose 2005; Hayes and Watson 2013; Johnston and Mash 2001). There are some specific differences between stressors reported by parents of children with different DD. For example, ADHD has been linked to greater attachment difficulties than ASD (Miranda

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Hope, social relations, and depressive symptoms in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Cited by 39 publications

References 66 publications

Associations Between Resilience and the Well-Being of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities

Associations Between Resilience and the Well-Being of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities

Parenting experiences of fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder with or without intellectual disability

Self-Management Support Intervention for Parents of Children with Developmental Disorders: The Role of Gratitude and Hope

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