Respite Care, Marital Quality, and Stress in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 2013 Mar 27

PMID 23529841

Citations 40

Authors

Amber Harper

Tina Taylor Dyches

James Harper

Susanne Olsen Roper

Mikle South

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at risk for having higher stress and lower marital quality than other parents. Survey data regarding respite care, marital quality, and daily hassles and uplifts were obtained from 101 mother-father dyads who were together raising at least one child with ASD (total # of children = 118). Number of hours of respite care was positively related to improved marital quality for both husbands and wives, such that a 1-h increase in weekly respite care was associated with a one-half standard deviation increase in marital quality. This relationship was significantly mediated by perceived daily stresses and uplifts in both husbands and wives. More respite care was associated with increased uplifts and reduced stress; increased uplifts were associated with improved marital quality; and more stress was associated with reduced marital quality. The number of children in the family was associated with greater stress, and reduced relational quality and daily uplifts. Results suggest policymakers and practitioners should develop supports for providing respite for families raising children with ASD.

Citing Articles

A Prospective Study of the Family Quality of Life, Illness Perceptions, and Coping in Mothers of Children Newly Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Communication Difficulties.

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A Longitudinal Mixed-Methods Characterization of Family Support from Adolescence to Young Adulthood in Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.

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Identifying Needs of Ethiopian and Eritrean American Parents of Autistic Children.

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Adaptation at the Family Level in Families of Individuals With Down Syndrome: A Scoping Review.

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Development and Preliminary Validation of the Accommodations & Impact Scale for Developmental Disabilities.

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