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- Title
Parenting stress and psychological functioning among mothers of preschool children with autism and developmental delay.
- Authors
Estes, Annette; Munson, Jeffrey; Dawson, Geraldine; Koehler, Elizabeth; Xiao-Hua Zhou; Abbott, Robert
- Abstract
Parents of children with developmental disabilities, particularly autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), are at risk for high levels of distress. The factors contributing to this are unclear. This study investigated how child characteristics influence maternal parenting stress and psychological distress. Participants consisted of mothers and developmental-age matched preschool-aged children with ASD (N = 51) and developmental delay without autism (DD) (N = 22). Evidence for higher levels of parenting stress and psychological distress was found in mothers in the ASD group compared to the DD group. Children's problem behavior was associated with increased parenting stress and psychological distress in mothers in the ASD and DD groups. This relationship was stronger in the DD group. Daily living skills were not related to parenting stress or psychological distress. Results suggest clinical services aiming to support parents should include a focus on reducing problem behaviors in children with developmental disabilities.
- Subjects
PSYCHOLOGICAL distress; PARENTING; MOTHERS; AUTISM; DEVELOPMENTAL disabilities; BEHAVIOR disorders in children; REGRESSION (Psychology)
- Publication
Autism: The International Journal of Research & Practice, 2009, Vol 13, Issue 4, p375
- ISSN
1362-3613
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/1362361309105658