Predictors of Satisfaction with Life in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 2017 Dec 1

PMID 29189918

Citations 4

Authors

Jason Landon

Daniel Shepherd

Sonja Goedeke

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms, care-related activities, and satisfaction with life (SWL) in 184 parents caring for a child with ASD in New Zealand. The relationships between coping styles and SWL were also examined. The parents' SWL scores indicated they were slightly dissatisfied with their lives. A stepwise linear regression showed three predictors (care-related health problems, carer esteem and financial difficulties) explained 47% of the variance in SWL scores. Several coping styles were associated with lowered SWL, and only emotional support was related to increased SWL. The regression model provides a focus for monitoring parental wellbeing, and stresses the importance of recognition and support for the substantial responsibilities parents of children with ASD face.

Citing Articles

The Burden and Psychological Distress of Family Caregivers of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Gender Approach.

Herrero R, Diaz A, Zueco J J Clin Med. 2024; 13(10).

PMID: 38792402 PMC: 11121944. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102861.

Urban and rural differences in needs, service use and satisfaction among caregivers of autistic children in Morocco.

de Jonge M, Boutjdir M, El-Korchi T, Torres H, Karpur A, Shih A Autism. 2023; 28(1):107-122.

PMID: 36800902 PMC: 10771028. DOI: 10.1177/13623613221150086.

Marital Satisfaction and Perceived Family Support in Families of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Dyadic Analysis.

He B, Wongpakaran T, Wongpakaran N, Wedding D Healthcare (Basel). 2022; 10(7).

PMID: 35885754 PMC: 9322168. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10071227.

The Influence of Race and Ethnicity on the Relationship between Family Resilience and Parenting Stress in Caregivers of Children with Autism.

Kim I, Dababnah S, Lee J J Autism Dev Disord. 2019; 50(2):650-658.

PMID: 31667651 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04269-6.

References

Diener E, Emmons R, Larsen R, Griffin S . The Satisfaction With Life Scale. J Pers Assess. 1985; 49(1):71-5. DOI: 10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13. View

Kinnear S, Link B, Ballan M, Fischbach R . Understanding the Experience of Stigma for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Role Stigma Plays in Families' Lives. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015; 46(3):942-53. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2637-9. View

McStay R, Dissanayake C, Scheeren A, Koot H, Begeer S . Parenting stress and autism: the role of age, autism severity, quality of life and problem behaviour of children and adolescents with autism. Autism. 2013; 18(5):502-10. DOI: 10.1177/1362361313485163. View

Huang C, Yen H, Tseng M, Tung L, Chen Y, Chen K . Impacts of autistic behaviors, emotional and behavioral problems on parenting stress in caregivers of children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2013; 44(6):1383-90. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-013-2000-y. View

Lai W, Goh T, Oei T, Sung M . Coping and Well-Being in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). J Autism Dev Disord. 2015; 45(8):2582-93. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2430-9. View

Gray D . Coping over time: the parents of children with autism. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2006; 50(Pt 12):970-6. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2006.00933.x. View

Werner S, Shulman C . Does type of disability make a difference in affiliate stigma among family caregivers of individuals with autism, intellectual disability or physical disability?. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2014; 59(3):272-83. DOI: 10.1111/jir.12136. View

Ergh T, Hanks R, Rapport L, Coleman R . Social support moderates caregiver life satisfaction following traumatic brain injury. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2003; 25(8):1090-101. DOI: 10.1076/jcen.25.8.1090.16735. View

Bromley J, Hare D, Davison K, Emerson E . Mothers supporting children with autistic spectrum disorders: social support, mental health status and satisfaction with services. Autism. 2004; 8(4):409-23. DOI: 10.1177/1362361304047224. View

10.

Couturier J, Speechley K, Steele M, Norman R, Stringer B, Nicolson R . Parental perception of sleep problems in children of normal intelligence with pervasive developmental disorders: prevalence, severity, and pattern. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2005; 44(8):815-22. DOI: 10.1097/01.chi.0000166377.22651.87. View

11.

Griffith G, Hastings R, Nash S, Hill C . Using matched groups to explore child behavior problems and maternal well-being in children with Down syndrome and autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2009; 40(5):610-9. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-009-0906-1. View

12.

Emerson S, Guhn M, Gadermann A . Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction with Life Scale: reviewing three decades of research. Qual Life Res. 2017; 26(9):2251-2264. DOI: 10.1007/s11136-017-1552-2. View

13.

Plant K, Sanders M . Predictors of care-giver stress in families of preschool-aged children with developmental disabilities. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2007; 51(Pt 2):109-24. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2006.00829.x. View

14.

Seltzer M, Floyd F, Song J, Greenberg J, Hong J . Midlife and aging parents of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: impacts of lifelong parenting. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2011; 116(6):479-99. PMC: 3263696. DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-116.6.479. View

15.

Gallagher S, Phillips A, Drayson M, Carroll D . Parental caregivers of children with developmental disabilities mount a poor antibody response to pneumococcal vaccination. Brain Behav Immun. 2008; 23(3):338-46. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2008.05.006. View

16.

Folkman S, Lazarus R . If it changes it must be a process: study of emotion and coping during three stages of a college examination. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1985; 48(1):150-70. DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.48.1.150. View

17.

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

18.

Buescher A, Cidav Z, Knapp M, Mandell D . Costs of autism spectrum disorders in the United Kingdom and the United States. JAMA Pediatr. 2014; 168(8):721-8. DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.210. View

19.

Pearson D, Loveland K, Lachar D, Lane D, Reddoch S, Mansour R . A comparison of behavioral and emotional functioning in children and adolescents with Autistic Disorder and PDD-NOS. Child Neuropsychol. 2006; 12(4-5):321-33. DOI: 10.1080/09297040600646847. View

20.

Lach L, Kohen D, Garner R, Brehaut J, Miller A, Klassen A . The health and psychosocial functioning of caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Disabil Rehabil. 2009; 31(9):741-52. DOI: 10.1080/08916930802354948. View