Cited by 456Family and Disability Support ResearchAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchChild Nutrition and Feeding Issues

Parenting-related stress and psychological distress in mothers of toddlers with autism spectrum disorders

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Estes, Annette, Olson, Erin, Sullivan, Katherine, Greenson, Jessica, Winter, Jamie, Dawson, Geraldine, Munson, Jeffrey·2013·Brain and Development

Abstract

Background Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are at risk for higher stress levels than parents of children with other developmental disabilities and typical development. Recent advances in early diagnosis have resulted in younger children being diagnosed with ASDs but factors associated with parent stress in this age group are not well understood.Aims The present study examined parenting-related stress and psychological distress in mothers of toddlers with ASD, developmental delay without ASD (DD), and typical development. The impact of child problem behavior and daily living skills on parenting-stress and psychological distress were further investigated.Methods Participants were part of a larger research study on early ASD intervention.Results Parent self-report of parenting-related stress and psychological distress was utilized. Parents of toddlers with ASD demonstrated increased parenting-related stress compared with parents of toddlers with DD and typical development. However, psychological distress did not differ significantly between the groups. Child behavior problems, but not daily living skills emerged as a significant predictor of parenting-related stress and psychological distress. This was true for both mothers of children with ASD and DD.Conclusions These finding suggest that parents' abilities to manage and reduce behavior problems is a critical target for interventions for young children with ASD and DD in order to improve child functioning and decrease parenting-related stress.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.braindev.2012.10.004

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  • Parents of children with developmental disabilities are more likely to experience high stress and mental health problems.

    “Parents of children with developmental disabilities are susceptible to mental health problems.”

    From The Effect of Mindfulness-Based and Acceptance Commitment Therapy-Based Interventions to Improve the Mental Well-Being Among Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2022) · cites this paper as Estes et al. 2012

    The introductory passage says parents of children with ASD may be at increased risk of depression and anxiety, and the Discussion links child behavior problems to stress and psychological distress in mothers of children with ASD and non-ASD developmental delays. But the study found no significant difference in psychological distress between those mothers and mothers of typically developing toddlers. It therefore does not establish a generally higher risk of mental health problems for parents of children with developmental disabilities. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [1]Bristol MM Schopler E Blacher J A developmental perspective on stress and coping in families of autistic children Severely handicapped young children and their families Orlando, FL Academic Press 1984 91 141
  2. [32]Sparrow S Balla D Cicchetti D Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales: Interview Edition Circle Pines, MN American Guidance Service 1984

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Authors
Estes, A., Olson, E., Sullivan, K., Greenson, J., Winter, J., Dawson, G., & Munson, J.
Affiliations
University of Washington (US)
Corresponding author
Estes, Annette
Venue
Brain and Development
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-02
Volume
35
Issue
2
Pages
133-138
ISSN
0387-7604 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2017777591
Cited by
456
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 28 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 46 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 35 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 9
FWCI
16.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Brain and Development (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (U54MH066399)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (P50HD055782)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, parental stress, maternal distress, toddlers, developmental delay, child behavior problems, daily living skills, early diagnosis, early intervention
MeSH terms
Activities of Daily Living, Adult, Child Behavior, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Child, Preschool, Educational Status, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Mothers, Parents, Socioeconomic Factors, Stress, Psychological, Parenting, Caregivers, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

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