The Impact of Parenting Stress: A Meta-analysis of Studies Comparing the Experience of Parenting Stress in Parents of Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Researchers commonly report that families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience more parenting stress than families of typically developing (TD) children or those diagnosed with other disabilities [e.g., Down syndrome (DS), cerebral palsy, intellectual disability]. The authors reexamined the research using comparison groups to investigate parenting stress and conducted a meta-analysis to pool results across studies. The experience of stress in families of children with ASD versus families of TD children resulted in a large effect size. Comparisons between families of children of ASD and families with other disabilities also generated a large effect size however, this result should be interpreted with caution as it may be associated with the specific experience of parenting a child with DS.

Reliability and validity of the COPE Index among caregivers of disabled people

“…Similarly, parents who are caring for children with disabilities experience a great level of stress (Hayes & Watson, 2013;Lee, 2013;Pousada et al, 2013), attributable to various causes, such as behavioural problems and the disability level of the care recipient, ineffective coping strategies, family functioning and poor social support (Isa et al, 2016;Plant & Sanders, 2007). These findings are comparable with those reported by caregivers of older adults and with the outcomes of parental stress processes, which also lead to psychological and physical health problems (Isa et al, 2016;Murphy, Christian, Caplin, & Young, 2007).…”

Parent and Family Outcomes of PEERS: A Social Skills Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Parents of children with ASD experience higher levels of parenting stress than parents of typically developing children (e.g., Duarte et al 2005;Hayes and Watson 2012;Hoffman et al 2009;Rao and Beidel 2009) as well as parents of children with other developmental disabilities (e.g., Estes et al 2009Estes et al , 2012Schieve et al 2007Schieve et al , 2011. This is concerning given that high levels of parenting stress are associated with diminished child outcomes over time following intervention (Osborne et al 2008a, b).…”

Maternal Mental Health After a Child’s Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…The complexities involved in raising a child with ASD result in high rates of maternal stress and depression, with rates even higher than those observed in mothers of children with Down syndrome. 4 These heightened levels of stress and depression can result in an altered relationship between the mother and child and an increase in internalizing and externalizing behaviors in young children, as supported by a long-standing literature examining the reciprocal relation between maternal depressive symptoms and children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors. 5,6 Maternal mental health can adversely affect gains children make from interventions delivered by their caregivers.…”