Stability and individual change in depressive symptoms among mothers raising young children with ASD: maternal and child correlates

Abstract

Mothers raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) evidence elevated depressive symptoms, but symptom stability has not been examined. Mothers (N=143) of toddlers with ASD (77% boys) were enrolled and assessed when their children were 18 to 33 months old and followed annually for 2 years. Multilevel modeling revealed no significant change in group depressive symptom level, which was in the moderately elevated range (Intercept=13.67; SE=.96). In contrast, there was significant individual variation in change over time. Child problem behaviors and delayed competence, maternal anxiety symptoms and angry/hostile mood, low parenting efficacy and social supports, and coping styles were associated with depression severity. Only maternal anxiety and parenting efficacy predicted individual change. Many mothers do not appear to adapt, supporting the need for early intervention for maternal well-being.

The life experiences of Turkish mothers who have children with an autism spectrum disorder

“…Moreover, these mothers have a tendency to redefine negative events from a positive perspective within the scope of positive reinterpretation. These findings are supported by some researchers who report that mothers using strategies of this sort start to adjust to the challenging situation and have a more positive maternal well-being in the course of time (Carter et al, 2009;Tunali & Power, 2002). It is remarkable.…”

“…Research findings show that higher levels of problemfocused coping strategies (especially positive reinterpretation) and lower levels of emotionfocused coping strategies (especially disengagement) are associated with the positive wellbeings of the mothers of children with ASD. Increasing the use of problem-focused strategies and decreasing the use of emotion-focused strategies reduce mothers' stress and positively affect their psychological functions (Carter et al, 2009;Tunali & Power, 2002). Religious coping strategies, which involve religious beliefs used for explaining the situation experienced and religious practices (e.g.…”

Depressão materna e implicações sobre o desenvolvimento infantil do autista

“…Solomon et al 12 Mães de crianças com autismo que receberam intervenção apresentaram diminuição nos escores de depressão. Carter et al 13 Mães de crianças com autismo apresentaram elevados sintomas depressivos. Roncon 14 Uma mãe de uma criança com autismo com depressão pós-parto recebeu suporte psico-social.…”

“…Neste caso, o suporte social e a escolaridade foram fatores mediadores do estresse materno e favoreceram o ajustamento familiar como um todo 10,11 . Os estudos apontam que baixos níveis de suporte social são os preditores mais fortes para depressão e ansiedade, 8,13,16 que a diminuição dos escores de depressão estão relacionados a intervenções que oferecem apoio social 12,14 e, por fim, que a intervenção mais adequada no contexto do autismo depende da fase de desenvolvimento em que a criança está, bem como do contexto familiar. 7 Por outro lado, estudos revelam que mães que vivem situações semelhantes, como o fato de ter um filho com desenvolvimento atípico, nem sempre são afetadas da mesma maneira, ainda que estejam diante desta sobrecarga 5 .…”

Relationships between Sense of Coherence, Coping Strategies and Quality of Life of Parents of Children with Autism in Malaysia: A Case Study among Chinese Parents

“…Since taking care of a child with ASD is a lifelong endeavour (Seltzer et al, 2004;Meirsschaut et al, 2010 ), parents of children with autism, especially the mothers, have been found to have higher prevalence of stress, psychological disturbances and depression (Azlina Wati Nikmat et al, 2008;Athari et al, 2013). These parents are also more likely to develop mental issues, depression, somatic complaints, feelings of social isolation and burnout (Hastings et al, 2007;Carter et al, 2009;Sipos et al, 2012).…”