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Correlations of Physical and Psychological Health in Parents of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder. West J Nurs Res 2024 Jul;46(7):532-540

Date

05/16/2024

Pubmed ID

38752509

DOI

10.1177/01939459241253221

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85193387158 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   4 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have social communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive, and/or sensory behaviors or interests. The prevalence of ASD is now 1 in 36 individuals. Parents of individuals with ASD face challenges that can affect their physical and psychological well-being.

OBJECTIVE: With the long-term goal to tailor an exercise program, the purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) establish the baseline physical and mental health of parents of individuals with ASD and (2) estimate the relationship of physiologic variables with psychological variables of health for parents of individuals with ASD.

METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study (N = 44) explored physical health measures and the correlation between physical and psychological health, using measures of anxiety, stress, parenting depression, and positive thinking for parents who care for individuals with ASD.

RESULTS: The common characteristics that these parents shared was high body fat and low physical activity. Body fat was negatively correlated to total step count (r = -0.428, P < .05), grip strength (r = -0.319, P < .5), and total distance walked in the week (r = -0.661, P < .01), and positively correlated to 5-times sit to stand (r = 0.337, P < .05). Low activity correlated to increased parenting stress of advocating for child's needs (r = -0.310, P = .043).

CONCLUSIONS: Understanding relationships between physical and psychological health informs effective interventions and support systems for parents. Parents need supports to be able to prioritize exercise. Future studies should include a larger sample to verify these effects.

Author List

Johnson NL, Bekhet AK, Zint E, Wang J, Pena S, Van Hecke A, Garnier-Villarreal M, Ng A

Authors

Norah Johnson PhD Assistant Professor in the College ofnursing department at Marquette University
Amy Van Hecke PhD Professor in the Psychology department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Anxiety
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Exercise
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Health
Middle Aged
Parents
Stress, Psychological
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