The impact of COVID‐19 on stress, anxiety, and coping in youth with and without autism and their parents

Abstract

In the wake of COVID‐19, the world has become a more uncertain environment—a breeding ground for stress and anxiety, especially for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study examined stress, anxiety, and coping in a data‐driven, real‐time assessment of 122 youth with and without ASD and their parents at the height of the COVID‐19 shutdown and three‐months later. Standardized measures were administered to ascertain stress and coping explicitly related to the pandemic (RSQ COVID‐19‐Child [self‐report], Adult [self‐report from the guardian of youth], Parent [report about child]) and anxiety (STAI‐C, STAI‐A). Multivariate, univariate analyses of variance and hierarchical regression were used. ASD youth endorsed more Trait anxiety and response to specific stressors (e.g., virus). Caregivers of youth with ASD (Adults) self‐reported higher anxiety, yet scores were elevated for both groups. Adults of youth with ASD reported more stress, especially related to the virus, access to healthcare, and concern for the future. In the TD group, youth and adults used more Primary and Secondary Control Coping whereas ASD youth and adults used more Disengagement Coping. Adult stress was the primary predictor of parent perception of child stress as well as Child self‐reported stress. While the ASD group was consistently high compared to the TD group, there were no significant changes over time for stress or anxiety. Results reveal striking differences in youth with ASD and their parents regarding stress, anxiety, and coping. Findings highlight the need for essential support, access to services, and strategies to enhance psychological and emotional well‐being. Lay Summary This study examined stress, anxiety, and coping related to the COVID‐19 pandemic in 61 youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 61 youth with typical development (TD) and their parents. Results showed that ASD youth reported more anxiety and stress. Adults of youth with ASD indicated higher self‐reported anxiety and stress than adults of TD youth. TD youth and their parents reported using more adaptive coping strategies. Findings highlight the need for strategies to enhance psychological and emotional well‐being.

Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown in Malaysia: An Examination of the Psychological Well-Being of Parent-Child Dyads and Child Behavior in Families With Children on the Autism Spectrum

“…Hence, they might be extra reliant on their parents. The result is in line with the previous findings where the anxiety levels of parents were significantly correlated with children's ASC symptoms and behavioral problems during the pandemic (13,60).…”

Experience of Autistic Children and Their Families During the Pandemic: From Distress to Coping Strategies

“…As in previous studies where many parents of autistic children reported an increase of stress and anxiety during the pandemic (Adams et al, 2021;Alhuzimi, 2021;Calvano et al, 2021;Corbett et al, 2021;Spinelli et al, 2020), almost all our sample of parents considered this period to be a highly stressful time to varying level. A general consensus emerged among the parents on the importance of having access to information to understand their autistic child's characteristics and to put in place measures suited to these characteristics.…”

Effects of the Early Phase of COVID-19 on the Autistic Community in Sweden: A Qualitative Multi-Informant Study Linking to ICF

“…Indeed, international studies are accumulating to support these fears. Parents of children with autism report wide-ranging adverse outcomes including increasing sleep issues [16], less physical activity [17], disruptive and restrictive behavior, and signs of regression in younger children [18], higher levels of irritability, behavioral problems, stress, and anxiety along with less adaptive coping strategies in school-aged children [19,20]especially for children with pre-pandemic behavioral and psychological issues [21].…”