Cited by 404Family and Disability Support ResearchAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchFamily Caregiving in Mental Illness

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Stress and Parents of Children with Autism: A Review of Literature

Bonis, Susan·2016·Issues in Mental Health Nursing

DOI 10.3109/01612840.2015.1116030

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Abstract

The purpose of this review is twofold. The first is to synthesize factors that impact parents' experiences of caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); the second is to identify factors that impact parental stress and parental decision-making to use autism services or not. Parents of children with ASD score higher on levels of stress than other groups of parents. The daily challenges of caring for the child are endless and effect all aspects of the child's care as well as the parent's mental health and ability to manage the needs of the child and family. Understanding more about the challenges parents face will provide direction for research, intervention development, and practice. Accordingly, a search was conducted using CINAHL and Medline. Inclusion criteria included articles available in full text, published in English, and focused on children with ASD distinct from other diagnoses, as well as parental experiences of caring for a child with ASD. Articles (N = 132) that met the inclusion criteria were summarized. Challenging aspects of the child's diagnosis and care are discussed, as well as the factors that impact parental stress and decision-making to use autism services. Recommendations for research and practice include interventional development related to early diagnosis, disparity, access to care, parental decision-making to use autism services, and parental stress management.

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Background
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Background
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“Having a child on the autism spectrum may also affect the partner relationship, as various studies report that couples ﬁ nd themselves embroiled in disagreements over the appropriate approach to their child, or struggle to ﬁ nd time for activities together (Bonis, 2016; Ooi et al., 2016).”
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“…complex disabilities 186 YOUNG EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Vol. 25, No. 4, December 2022 has been attributed to child problem behaviors, a lack of understanding of their child’s disability, concerns about the future of their child, and a lack of support (Bonis, 2016; Hsiao, 2018; Meadan et al., 2010).”
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“Bonis, S. (2016), Stress and Parents of Children with Autism: A Review of Literature, Issues Ment Health Nurs, 37 (3), 153-63, https://doi.”
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Authors: Bonis, S.
Affiliations: University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (US)
Corresponding author: Bonis, Susan
ORCID: Bonis, Susan
Venue: Issues in Mental Health Nursing
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2016-03-03
Volume: 37
Issue: 3
Pages: 153-163
ISSN: 0161-2840 (ISSN-L)
1096-4673
DOI: 10.3109/01612840.2015.1116030
OpenAlex: W2319420461
Cited by: 404
References: 132
Citations by year: 2026: 45 · 2025: 58 · 2024: 65 · 2023: 50 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 2
FWCI: 2.03
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Issues in Mental Health Nursing (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family Caregiving in Mental Illness
Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, parental stress, parents of autistic children, parental decision-making, autism services, health care access, early diagnosis, parental mental health, stress management
MeSH terms: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adult, Child, Humans, Parents, Stress, Psychological

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