A Stress Model for Couples Parenting Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Introduction of a Mindfulness Intervention

Overview

Journal J Fam Theory Rev

Date 2014 May 6

PMID 24795780

Citations 15

Authors

Karen Bluth

Patricia N E Roberson

Rhett M Billen

Juli M Sams

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at an increased risk for acute and chronic stress compared to parents of children with other developmental disabilities and parents of children without disabilities. It is plausible that the stressors of having a child with ASD affect the couple relationship; however, few researchers have focused on this dynamic within these families. In this article, we seek to develop a model for how stress operates in families with children with ASD. In developing this new stress model, we describe the characteristics of ASD, discuss stressors that are pronounced in families of children with ASD as supported by the literature, and highlight the limitations of Perry's (2004) model in application to this population. Our expanded stress model includes the addition of parenting couple resources and parenting couple outcomes. Finally, we demonstrate how to apply the model using a mindfulness intervention to promote positive outcomes and strengthen the couple relationship.

Citing Articles

Caregivers' voices: From the world of autism spectrum disorder.

Dira P, Machailo R, Scholtz S Curationis. 2024; 47(1):e1-e11.

PMID: 39099291 PMC: 11304203. DOI: 10.4102/curationis.v47i1.2519.

Exploring Collaborative Efforts Toward Promoting Better Eating Habits among Autistic Children in the United Arab Emirates.

Opoku M, Mustafa A, Anwahi N, Shah H, Aldhaheri S, Almeqbaali A Linacre Q. 2024; 91(2):193-213.

PMID: 38726315 PMC: 11078127. DOI: 10.1177/00243639231156701.

Autism care pathway in Europe.

Mendez M, Oakley B, Canitano R, San Jose-Caceres A, Tinelli M, Knapp M Eur Psychiatry. 2023; 66(1):e81.

PMID: 37694810 PMC: 10594203. DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.2435.

Family Socioeconomic Status and Parental Involvement in Chinese Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Yan T, Hou Y, Liang L Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(9).

PMID: 37174823 PMC: 10177892. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11091281.

Qualitative Investigation into the Perception towards Compassionate Parenting among Parents of Autistic Children: Cross-Cultural Comparison between the UK and The Netherlands.

Curley K, Kotera Y Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(8).

PMID: 37108034 PMC: 10137878. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11081199.

References

Larson J, Whitton S, Hauser S, Allen J . Being close and being social: peer ratings of distinct aspects of young adult social competence. J Pers Assess. 2007; 89(2):136-48. PMC: 3395164. DOI: 10.1080/00223890701468501. View

Sawyer M, Bittman M, La Greca A, Crettenden A, Harchak T, Martin J . Time demands of caring for children with autism: what are the implications for maternal mental health?. J Autism Dev Disord. 2009; 40(5):620-8. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-009-0912-3. View

Minor H, Carlson L, MacKenzie M, Zernicke K, Jones L . Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for caregivers of children with chronic conditions. Soc Work Health Care. 2006; 43(1):91-109. DOI: 10.1300/J010v43n01_06. View

Miller J, Fletcher K, Kabat-Zinn J . Three-year follow-up and clinical implications of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1995; 17(3):192-200. DOI: 10.1016/0163-8343(95)00025-m. View

Barnes S, Brown K, Krusemark E, Campbell W, Rogge R . The role of mindfulness in romantic relationship satisfaction and responses to relationship stress. J Marital Fam Ther. 2007; 33(4):482-500. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2007.00033.x. View

Weiss M . Harrdiness and social support as predictors of stress in mothers of typical children, children with autism, and children with mental retardation. Autism. 2002; 6(1):115-30. DOI: 10.1177/1362361302006001009. View

Trute B, Hiebert-Murphy D . Family adjustment to childhood developmental disability: a measure of parent appraisal of family impacts. J Pediatr Psychol. 2002; 27(3):271-80. DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/27.3.271. View

Grossman P, Niemann L, Schmidt S, Walach H . Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis. J Psychosom Res. 2004; 57(1):35-43. DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00573-7. View

Pottie C, Ingram K . Daily stress, coping, and well-being in parents of children with autism: a multilevel modeling approach. J Fam Psychol. 2008; 22(6):855-64. DOI: 10.1037/a0013604. View

10.

Hastings R . Child behaviour problems and partner mental health as correlates of stress in mothers and fathers of children with autism. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2003; 47(Pt 4-5):231-7. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2788.2003.00485.x. View

11.

Siklos S, Kerns K . Assessing the diagnostic experiences of a small sample of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. Res Dev Disabil. 2006; 28(1):9-22. DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2005.09.003. View

12.

Lecavalier L, Leone S, Wiltz J . The impact of behaviour problems on caregiver stress in young people with autism spectrum disorders. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2006; 50(Pt 3):172-83. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2005.00732.x. View

13.

Shapiro S, Carlson L, Astin J, Freedman B . Mechanisms of mindfulness. J Clin Psychol. 2005; 62(3):373-86. DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20237. View

14.

Emerson E . Mothers of children and adolescents with intellectual disability: social and economic situation, mental health status, and the self-assessed social and psychological impact of the child's difficulties. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2003; 47(Pt 4-5):385-99. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2788.2003.00498.x. View

15.

Dunn M, Burbine T, Bowers C, Tantleff-Dunn S . Moderators of stress in parents of children with autism. Community Ment Health J. 2001; 37(1):39-52. DOI: 10.1023/a:1026592305436. View

16.

Ahrons C . The continuing coparental relationship between divorced spouses. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 1981; 51(3):415-428. DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.1981.tb01390.x. View

17.

Kabat-Zinn J, Massion A, Kristeller J, Peterson L, Fletcher K, Pbert L . Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Am J Psychiatry. 1992; 149(7):936-43. DOI: 10.1176/ajp.149.7.936. View

18.

Lickenbrock D, Ekas N, Whitman T . Feeling good, feeling bad: influences of maternal perceptions of the child and marital adjustment on well-being in mothers of children with an autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2010; 41(7):848-58. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-010-1105-9. View

19.

Kobasa S . Stressful life events, personality, and health: an inquiry into hardiness. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1979; 37(1):1-11. DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.37.1.1. View

20.

Rao P, Beidel D . The impact of children with high-functioning autism on parental stress, sibling adjustment, and family functioning. Behav Modif. 2009; 33(4):437-51. DOI: 10.1177/0145445509336427. View