Pilar Pozo

Family Quality of Life and Psychological Well-Being in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Double ABCX Model.

BACKGROUND This study examined family quality of life (FQOL) and psychological well-being from a multidimensional perspective. The proposed model was based on the double ABCX model, with severity of the disorder, behaviour problems, social support, sense of coherence (SOC) and coping strategies as components. METHOD One hundred and eighteen parents (59 mothers and 59 fathers) with a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) participated in the study. Separate path analyses were performed to evaluate models of FQOL and psychological well-being for mothers and fathers. RESULTS In all models, behaviour problems had a negative indirect effect on adaptation (FQOL and psychological well-being) through SOC. For both mothers and fathers, the severity of the disorder and social support played significant roles in FQOL models. Coping strategies were related with adaptation, active avoidance coping with FQOL for fathers and positive and problem-focused coping with psychological well-being for mothers. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study highlight the value of the multidimensional approach. The specific patterns of results for mothers and fathers contribute to comprehension of the psychological adaptation of parents. Findings could be taken into account in interventions with families.

Psychological Adaptation in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are among the most enigmatic and restricting disorders, given that affected individuals demonstrate alterations in three basic areas of development: reciprocal social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and flexibility in their selection of interests and behaviours. The peculiar characteristics that define ASD cause major disturbances in the family dynamics and generate needs in all areas and contexts of development (Altiere, 2006; Baker et al., 2005; Shu, 2009; Smith, Hong et al., 2010). Other problems are frequently associated with the nuclear characteristics of autism. These include mental retardation (Sigman & Caps, 1997) and behaviour problems such as stereotyped, self-injurious or aggressive conduct (Bryson, 1996; Hastings, 2003) that persist in the long term (Einfeld, Tonge & Rees, 2001). These problems, depending on the severity and frequency with which they occur, will affect the development of individuals with autism and the well-being and adaptation of their parents to a greater or lesser extent (Herring, et al., 2006; Lecavalier et al., 2006; Pozo et al., 2006; Tomanik et al., 2004). Many studies have examined the emotional adjustment of parents of children with ASD. These studies have systematically documented that --compared to parents of children with other disorders or with parents of normally developing children-parents of ASD children have higher levels of stress (Baker et al., 2005; Baker et al., 2003; Belchic, 1996; Cuxart, 1995), anxiety (Baxter et al., 2000; Hastings, 2003; Hastings et al., 2005a; Konstantareas & Homatidis, 1989), and depression (Feldman et al., 2007; Olsson & Hwang, 2002; Phetrasuwan, 2003; Singer, 2006; Smith et al., 2008). Many studies also suggest that the concomitant behaviour problems in ASD, compared to the severity of the disorder itself, are most strongly associated with stress (Baker et al., 2002; Donenberg & Baker, 1993; Herring et al., 2006; Lecavalier et al., 2006; Tomanik et al., 2004) and with anxiety and depression (Baxter et al., 2000; Blacher, Shapiro et al., 1997; Quine & Pahl, 1991). Nevertheless, some families, despite having children with severe ASD, have still managed successful psychological adaptation. From this we can infer that the characteristics of autistic children may not be the only factors that influence adaptation. Other types of variables are also involved, including social support, perception of problems and coping strategies. In the next section, we will describe the results of studies that have analysed the influences of these factors on adaptation.

Still stressed but feeling better: Well-being in autism spectrum disorder families as children become adults

The transition to adulthood and adulthood itself have been identified as times of stress for parents of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Longitudinal studies, however, show improvements in the well-being of mothers of adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. This article presents a cross-sectional study of 102 Spanish parents (51 mothers and 51 fathers) of 102 individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The aim was to examine parental well-being (evaluated based on stress, anxiety, depression and psychological well-being) in three groups of parents of adults, adolescents and young children with autism spectrum disorder. In addition, the relationships between parental well-being and the characteristics of their children, social support, parental age and sense of coherence were analysed. The results showed that although parental stress and psychological well-being levels were similar across the groups, depression and anxiety were lower in parents of adolescents or adults compared with parents of young children. Different factors predicted different measures of parental well-being, but sense of coherence emerged as the main predictive factor for all parental well-being measures. These findings are discussed in relation to parental adaptation over the lifespan and the implications for interventions in autism spectrum disorder families.

Parental Self-Efficacy and Positive Contributions Regarding Autism Spectrum Condition: An Actor–Partner Interdependence Model

Couples affect each other cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally. The goal of this study is to test the benefits and potential use of the actor–partner interdependence model in examining how parental self-efficacy and positive contributions of fathers and mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Condition influence each other’s psychological adaptation. The sample includes 76 Spanish couples who completed validated questionnaires measuring predictors, i.e., self-efficacy and positive contributions, and adaptation outcomes i.e., stress, anxiety, depression and psychological well-being. Multilevel analysis revealed many actor and some partner effects of parental self-efficacy and positive contributions to be important determinants of adaptation above and beyond child and sociodemographic factors, and as such, these effects should be targeted in clinical intervention programs.

Coping Strategies and Parents’ Positive Perceptions of Raising a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder of organic origin characterised by impairment and deficits in social interaction and communication as well as repetitive and restricted patterns of behaviour [1]. ASD can manifest with very different degrees of severity, but most children with autism have special needs in all aspects of their development and in all contexts. Associated problems such as intellectual deficit, sensory issues, problems with eating and sleeping and behavioural problems are also common in ASD and may cause as much impairment as the core features of the disorder [2-5].