The Relationship Between Autism and Parenting Stress

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. We assessed associations between parenting a child with autism and stress indicators.METHODS. In the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health, parents or other knowledgeable adult respondents for children aged 4 to 17 years reported their recent feelings about their life sacrifices to care for their child, difficulty caring for their child, frustration with their child's actions, and anger toward their child. Responses were compiled in the Aggravation in Parenting Scale. Parents of children reported to have autism (N ϭ 459) were compared with parents of: (1) children with special health care needs including emotional, developmental, or behavioral problems other than autism that necessitated treatment (children with other developmental problems [N ϭ 4545]); (2) children with special health care needs without developmental problems (N ϭ 11 475); and (3) children without special health care needs (N ϭ 61 826). Weighted estimates are presented.RESULTS. Parents of children with autism were more likely to score in the high aggravation range (55%) than parents of children with developmental problems other than autism (44%), parents of children with special health care needs without developmental problems (12%), and parents of children without special health care needs (11%). However, within the autism group, the proportion of parents with high aggravation was 66% for those whose child recently needed special services and 28% for those whose child did not. The parents of children with autism and recent special service needs were substantially more likely to have high aggravation than parents of children with recent special service needs in each of the 3 comparison groups. Conversely, parents of children with autism but without recent special service needs were not more likely to have high aggravation than parents of children with other developmental problems.CONCLUSIONS. Parenting a child with autism with recent special service needs seems to be associated with unique stresses.www.pediatrics.org/cgi

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).…”

Qualidade de vida em irmãos de crianças incluídas no espectro do autismo

“…The present study had as initial hypothesis a decrease in self-reported QoL of siblings and caregivers of children included in the autism spectrum (8)(9)(10)(11)(12) . Demographic data were collected in order to obtain an overview of the families and select the participants of this study.…”

“…A study with 40 autistic children reported that these children, in their perception of the world, are happy, regardless of their functional deficits, as they reported QoL indexes that were similar to those of normal children (7) . However, it is noticed in the literature that those who frequently suffer the consequences of the autism framework are their family members (5,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) . Parents or caregivers of children included in the autism spectrum may face tensions and therefore could benefit from a family-centered treatment proposals (10) .…”

“…However, it is noticed in the literature that those who frequently suffer the consequences of the autism framework are their family members (5,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) . Parents or caregivers of children included in the autism spectrum may face tensions and therefore could benefit from a family-centered treatment proposals (10) . The QoL can be defined as the individual's perception of his position in life, in the context of culture and value systems in which he lives, and in relation to his goals, expectations, standards and concerns (13) .…”

Group Positive Psychotherapy Effect on Increasing the Happiness of Mothers of Children with Cochlear Implant

“…Having a deaf child, parents and other family members need to make major adjustments in family structure. Studies have shown that mental health of these families is strongly affected by their children's hearing impairment (Schieve, Blumberg, Rice, Visser, & Boyle, 2007).…”