Faculty Collaboration Database

Examining the Links Between Challenging Behaviors in Youth with ASD and Parental Stress, Mental Health, and Involvement: Applying an Adaptation of the Family Stress Model to Families of Youth with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord 2018 Apr;48(4):1169-1180

Date

12/25/2017

Pubmed ID

29275509

DOI

10.1007/s10803-017-3446-0

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85038856907 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   20 Citations

Abstract

Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) poses unique challenges that may impact parents' mental health and parenting experiences. The current study analyzed self-report data from 77 parents of youth with ASD. A serial multiple mediation model revealed that parenting stress (SIPA) and parental mental health (BAI and BDI-II) appears to be impacted by challenging adolescent behaviors (SSIS-PBs) and, in turn, affect parental involvement (PRQ), controlling for social skills (SSIS-SSs). Further, the study explored the malleability of parents' mental health over the course of a social skills intervention, and provides modest evidence that parent depressive symptoms decline across intervention. This study illustrates the importance of considering the entire family system in research on youth with ASD.

Author List

Schiltz HK, McVey AJ, Magnus B, Dolan BK, Willar KS, Pleiss S, Karst J, Carson AM, Caiozzo C, Vogt E, Van Hecke AV

Authors

Jeffrey S. Karst PhD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Amy Van Hecke PhD Professor in the Psychology department at Marquette University
Elisabeth M. Vogt PhD Assistant Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

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

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Adult
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Health
Models, Psychological
Parenting
Parents
Problem Behavior
Social Skills
Stress, Psychological