Highlights
- •The gender difference in psychological distress for parents of children with ASD depends on the severity of children's autistic symptoms.
- •Mothers of children with severe autistic symptoms reported higher levels of psychological distress than fathers.
- •Child social impairment predicted maternal distress, and the psychological distress of fathers moderated their relationship.
- •Children’s social interventions and parents’ stress management are directions to promote parental psychological well-being.
Abstract
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.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 03, 2022
Accepted:
February 14,
2022
Received in revised form:
January 11,
2022
Received:
September 26,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
