Trajectories of Perceived Negative Impact in Parents of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders from 9 to 25 years of age

Abstract

Caregivers raising a child with autism experience increased parental burden, though many have positive experiences as well. Perceived negative impact, a form of parental burden, is the degree to which a caregiver reports negative financial, social, and emotional experiences associated with having a child with a disability. This longitudinal study defined parental perceived negative impact trajectory classes across time, determined predictors, and explored the relationship between functional adult outcomes and impact class. Participants (n = 209) were comprised of caregivers whose child received an ASD diagnosis or had developmental delay. Latent class growth modeling defined three trajectory classes (e.g., low [n = 68, 32.54%], medium [n = 98, 46.89%], and high [n = 43, 20.57%]). Regressions revealed the low impact trajectory class had more caregivers who were racial minorities, less educated, and more socially supported. Membership in the high negative impact class was associated with increased childhood hyperactivity, irritability, autism symptomology, and poor adaptive skills. The low negative impact trajectory class was associated with young adults achieving more functional outcomes. Overall negative impact declined over time all for all classes, though never completely subsided. Possible implications for clinical practices are discussed