Factors associated with stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify key factors associated with severe stress in families raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to families with one or more children with a diagnosis of ASD. Data from 543 surveys were analyzed using u...

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Main Authors: Sim, A., Vaz, S., Cordier, Reinie, Joosten, Annette, Parsons, D., Smith, C., Falkmer, Torbjorn
Format: Journal Article
Published: Informa Healthcare 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54306
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author Sim, A.
Vaz, S.
Cordier, Reinie
Joosten, Annette
Parsons, D.
Smith, C.
Falkmer, Torbjorn
author_facet Sim, A.
Vaz, S.
Cordier, Reinie
Joosten, Annette
Parsons, D.
Smith, C.
Falkmer, Torbjorn
author_sort Sim, A.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify key factors associated with severe stress in families raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to families with one or more children with a diagnosis of ASD. Data from 543 surveys were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Forty-four percent (n = 241) of the caregivers reported severe family stress related to raising a child with ASD. Severe family stress was associated with (1) reduced ability to socialize; (2) not having accessed individual therapy; (3) negative co-parent relationships; and (4) high out of pockets costs due to the child's ASD. The specific ASD diagnosis, comorbid conditions, socio-demographic variables, and social support were not associated with severe family stress. CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study highlight the importance of a systemic approach to family stress, whereby individual, family, and ecological factors are investigated.
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institution Curtin University Malaysia
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last_indexed 2025-11-14T09:58:18Z
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-543062017-09-13T15:49:27Z Factors associated with stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder Sim, A. Vaz, S. Cordier, Reinie Joosten, Annette Parsons, D. Smith, C. Falkmer, Torbjorn PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify key factors associated with severe stress in families raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to families with one or more children with a diagnosis of ASD. Data from 543 surveys were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Forty-four percent (n = 241) of the caregivers reported severe family stress related to raising a child with ASD. Severe family stress was associated with (1) reduced ability to socialize; (2) not having accessed individual therapy; (3) negative co-parent relationships; and (4) high out of pockets costs due to the child's ASD. The specific ASD diagnosis, comorbid conditions, socio-demographic variables, and social support were not associated with severe family stress. CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study highlight the importance of a systemic approach to family stress, whereby individual, family, and ecological factors are investigated. 2017 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54306 10.1080/17518423.2017.1326185 Informa Healthcare restricted
spellingShingle Sim, A.
Vaz, S.
Cordier, Reinie
Joosten, Annette
Parsons, D.
Smith, C.
Falkmer, Torbjorn
Factors associated with stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder
title Factors associated with stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder
title_full Factors associated with stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder
title_fullStr Factors associated with stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder
title_full_unstemmed Factors associated with stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder
title_short Factors associated with stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder
title_sort factors associated with stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54306