Psychological Distress in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross-sectional Study Based on 683 Mother-father Dyads

Purpose: This study aimed to assess psychological distress and its gender difference in parents of children with ASD. Predictive factors for parental psychological distress and interaction effects between parents were also explored.

Design And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for parents of children with ASD and 683 mother-father dyads were included in the analyses.

Results: Mothers of children with severe autistic symptoms reported significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than fathers. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression for mothers was 13.8% and 13.1%, respectively. The corresponding prevalence for fathers was 9.9% and 8.0%, respectively. A college education or above protected against maternal stress and an only child predicted paternal stress. Child social impairment predicted maternal but not paternal psychological distress. Stress was a significant predictor of anxiety and depression for both parents. Paternal stress and anxiety moderated the relationship between child's social impairment and maternal stress, and paternal anxiety moderated the relationship between child's social impairment and maternal depression.

Conclusions: The gender difference in the parental psychological distress depends on the severity of children's autistic symptoms. Child social impairment exerts significant effects on mothers' psychological distress and parental stress contributes to anxiety and depression for both parents. The psychological distress of fathers moderates the relationship between child social impairment and maternal psychological distress.

Implications: Health-care professionals should pay special attention to parents who are susceptible to psychological distress. Social skill interventions for children and stress reduction programs for parents are recommended to promote parental psychological well-being.