Self-compassion: A Novel Predictor of Stress and Quality of Life in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The double ABCX model of adaptation has been used to predict parental outcomes in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with predictors including child characteristics, pile up of demands, external resources, coping, parental perceptions, and internal resources. This study investigated whether self-compassion is a unique predictor of parental outcomes of stress and quality of life. One hundred and thirty-nine parents (120 mothers, 19 fathers) completed an online questionnaire investigating known predictors and self-compassion. It was found that higher scores on the positive dimension of self-compassion were associated with better quality of life, and higher scores on the negative dimension of self-compassion were associated with greater stress. This research has implications for developing self-compassion interventions for parents.