Parenting experiences of fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder with or without intellectual disability

Self-Compassion and Psychological Health of Parents: A Meta-Analysis Focused on Some Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) may face various psychological problems and experience parenting stress because of the nature of these disorders. Parents' psychological distress and high levels of parenting stress have a negative impact on their well-being. In addition, recent studies on the buffering effect of self-compassion related with psychological difficulties have also attracted attention. At this point, this study aims to carry out a meta-analytic review of studies examining the association between self-compassion and psychological distress, parenting stress, and well-being. Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, and EBSCOHost (APA PsycArticles, MEDLINE, TR Index, ERIC) electronic databases were searched in November 2023. Studies were included if they were quantitative and included parents of children with NDDs as the study population. As a result, 131 studies were obtained. After the duplicate studies were removed and evaluated according to the inclusion criteria, n = 15 were included. The random effects model was used to obtain the pooled effect sizes. The results showed that there was a large, negative, and significant relationship between self-compassion and parental depression score and parenting stress; a moderate, negative, and significant relationship between self-compassion and parental anxiety score; and a large, positive, and significant relationship between self-compassion and parental well-being. According to these findings, it is important to observe and measure the level of self-compassion for the well-being of parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Moreover, increasing self-compassion in parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders may be a protective factor for the psychological health of these parents.

The Extent and Predictors of Fathers' Involvement in the Raising of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the UAE

BACKGROUND

Raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has consistently been found to be challenging for parents. However, available studies have mainly focused on mothers, raising questions about fathers' involvement in raising children with ASD. Indeed, fathers' involvement has consistently been reported as fundamental to the development of children with ASD. Thus, it necessitates extensions of Western-dominated literature to novel contexts such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The purpose of this study, therefore, was to explore the extent and predictors of fathers' participation in the nurturance of children living with ASD.

METHODS

The survey was completed by 177 fathers raising children with ASD in the UAE and was based on the revised 27-item Fathers' Involvement in Development and Rehabilitation Scale. The Statistical Package for Social Science was used to compute means and perform a multivariate analysis of variance and hierarchical multiple regression.

RESULTS

Fathers' ratings were high on involvement: attitude, support, and participation in training to assist their children with ASD. Also, support and participation in training significantly contributed to the variance in attitude towards children with ASD. Moreover, the place of residence of participants made a significant contribution to the variance in attitude towards children with ASD.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for policymakers to capitalize on the gains already made in creating a favorable environment for the development of children with ASD in the UAE. Regular engagement between policymakers and fathers could enhance their engagement in raising their children.

Impacts of Caregiving for Individuals with Autism in Low-Resource Settings, a Report from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Caring for children with different developmental trajectories brings various challenges, which are often exacerbated in low-resource settings. International research has shown that raising a child with autism strongly impacts family caregivers, particularly mothers. There is a dearth of information regarding caregiving for individuals with autism in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and for fathers as well as mothers. This study examined the similarities and differences in caregiving for mothers and fathers of a child with autism in KRI using validated rating scales to measure various aspects of their general well-being. Over two years, a sample of 118 parents of individuals with autism (81 mothers and 37 fathers) self-completed the rating scales, which were further discussed through individual interviews with service personnel mainly known to them. The findings indicated that mothers and fathers were similarly impacted. Although there were no statistically significant differences in the ratings of their general health, sources of stress, family functioning, and satisfaction with caregiving, the majority of parents had elevated ratings on all the measures. In addition, parents who rated their children higher on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist had significantly higher scores on their general health issues and were less satisfied with their caregiving role. Parents of female individuals with autism were also significantly more stressed compared to the male individuals with autism and parents of children who received a diagnosis before three years of age, reported fewer behavioral problems with their child compared to the parents who received a diagnosis when the child was older. In this sample, mothers and fathers seem to be similarly impacted by caring for a child with autism, which is contrary to findings from other countries. However, in this region, family bonds between couples and the wider family may have had an influence which further cross-cultural research in low-resource settings could help elucidate, notwithstanding the challenges this poses. The findings have policy implications for health authorities in the KRI to improve the support provided to both mothers and fathers who care for children with autism, which presently is rarely available to them.

Fatherhood in disability rehabilitation in the United Arab Emirates: Exploring fathers' involvement in raising children with disabilities

BACKGROUND

The first agent of socialisation is the family, who are expected to facilitate the inclusion of children in societal activities. While mothers' voices have been widely captured in the literature regarding their experiences raising children with disabilities, fathers' perceptions of their knowledge of and involvement in the development of children with disabilities have been understudied, particularly in non-Western contexts.

AIM

The main aim of this study was to examine fathers' perceptions of their involvement in raising children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

In total, 469 fathers were recruited to understand their involvement in raising their children with disabilities. The Fathers' Involvement in Development and Rehabilitation Scale was used to collect data, which were analysed using SPSS and AMOS.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

The results showed that fathers rated themselves highly for their attitudes, support, and participation in training to support their children with disabilities. Demographic variables, such as nationality and educational qualifications, provided additional insight into their involvement in raising their children with disabilities.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The study concludes with suggestions for training programmes to change fathers' attitudes towards children with disabilities, as such programmes can enable them to better support their children's development.

Nationwide study of fathers' involvement in the rehabilitation of children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates

Purpose

Parental involvement is fundamental to the successful inclusion of children with disabilities in social, academic and communities' services. However, very little is known about UAE fathers' involvement in the support, care, and treatment. and facilitation of engagement in the social, academic, and recreational activities of children with disabilities. Importantly, the role of fathers in facilitating children's participations in social services within the community is unknown. The aim of the current study was to learn father's involvement in the life of children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Materials and methods

A total of 1027 parents (fathers = 469, and mothers = 558) completed the revised Fathers' Involvement in Development and Rehabilitation Scale, with three sub-scales (support, attitudes, and participation in training). The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 29 was used to calculate means, t-tests, and moderation analyses.

Results

The mean scores showed high involvement of fathers; fathers rated themselves highly on attitudes and support towards their children with disabilities compared to mothers. Also, parental type (fathers vs mothers) significantly moderated the relationship between the support needs of children and paternal support to children with disabilities.

Conclusion

The study concludes with suggestions for targeted training programmes to enable fathers to better support the development of their children with disabilities.

Mothers' evaluations of fathers' contributions to raising children with autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurological condition which results in social skill deficits, communication difficulties, and restrictive and repetitive behaviour. The difficulties associated with parenting children with ASD have been studied extensively, mainly from the perspectives of mothers. The extent of involvement of fathers in the raising of children with ASD has received limited scholarly attention, especially in non-Western contexts such as the United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVES

This study asked mothers to evaluate the involvement of fathers in the development of children with ASD.

METHODS

In all, 240 mothers completed the Fathers' Involvement in Development and Rehabilitation Scale, designed based on a review of literature on the construct of involvement, namely attitude, participation in training, and support domains. The data were subjected to computation of mean scores, multivariate analysis of variance, hierarchical regression, and moderation analyses.

RESULTS

The results suggested that fathers held positive attitudes and provided substantial support to their children with ASD. However, mothers were ambivalent regarding the participation of fathers in training to support the development of their children. Differences were also observed between participants according to marital status, location, child gender, and ASD severity.

CONCLUSION

Recommendations for targeted training for fathers and other study implications are discussed.

Impact of family-centered care in families with children with intellectual disability: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Family-Centered Care (FCC) is an approach to healthcare planning, delivery and evaluation, based on beneficial partnerships between health professionals, patients and families. FCC may be particularly relevant for families with children with intellectual disability (ID), given their needs of continuum care.

OBJECTIVE

To identify which components of the FCC are practiced and which health outcomes are considered effective in families with children with ID.

METHOD

A systematic review guided by the PRISMA STATEMENT 2020 approach and the STROBE reporting guidelines was performed on specific databases through the EBSCOhost Web platform: MEDLINE with Full Text, CINAHL PLUS with Full Text, Academic Search Complete and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Peer-reviewed articles published in English or Portuguese languages from 2018 to September 2023 were retrieved. Methodological quality was established using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational, Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies - NHLBI, NIH.

RESULTS

Ten studies met the eligibility criteria and were synthetized. The results revealed nine components, reflecting the way FCC was developed: shared decision-making; family education; respect for culture; family engagement; recognition of the family's needs, characteristics and interests; specialized care support; social and emotional support; family functionality; and family seen as a unit. The health outcomes demonstrate effective gains in improving children's health through family satisfaction with health services. Also achieved psychological and social benefits, with improved family well-being and quality of life, favoring family empowerment.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence suggests that FCC components involves an effective partnership between the family and health professionals as the main key in developing care plans, as well as the experience that the family unit brings to the delivery of care. FCC approach include all family members as decision-makers, providing emotional, physical and instrumental levels of support. Health outcomes emerged in three strands; for children with ID, families and health services.

Differences in Interpersonal Resources and Risk Factors Among Mothers and Fathers of Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Serial Mediation Model

Mothers and fathers of children on the autism spectrum may differ in their perception of their interpersonal resources and risk factors. Fathers (114) and mothers (507) of children on the autism spectrum participated in the study. Fathers (vs. mothers) reported lower interpersonal resources (interpersonal emotion regulation and perceived support from friends and formal sources, but not family) and higher levels of interpersonal risk factors (social, not emotional, loneliness). A serial mediation model indicated that parents' gender predicted interpersonal emotion regulation which in turn related to parents' social loneliness directly and indirectly through perceived social support. Fathers of children on the autism spectrum may differ from mothers in perceptions of interpersonal resources and risk factors related to parents' social belonging needs.

Experiences of fathers caring for children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A meta-synthesis

Parents raising children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) experience greater family, health, and psychosocial dysfunction due to the compounding nature of children's NDD and disease manifestations. Furthermore, the experiences of fathers and mothers are significantly different, and there is a paucity of consolidated evidence on fathers' experiences. A systematic review and meta-synthesis were conducted using Sandelowski and Barroso's approach. Six electronic databases were searched for relevant articles published between November 2011 and November 2021. Thirty-eight studies were included in this review. An overarching theme "Out of the Shadows, and Into the Sunshine" emerged along with four main themes: (a) "The Illness Is All the Time": An Overwhelming Experience, (b) "Navigating health care and Education Systems," (c) "Strong Alone, Stronger Together," and (d) "My Child Is Different Not Less: A Different Perspective." This meta-synthesis analyzed the facilitators and barriers married fathers of children with NDD faced and suggested a paradigm shift where these fathers are becoming more actively involved in the care of their children. There is a need for family clinicians and therapists and health care, education, and workforce policymakers to collaborate to tackle the current and potential unique barriers faced by fathers of children with NDD.

Vulnerability to loneliness among fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder: The role of interpersonal and familial resources

Fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might be at increased risk of becoming lonely. In the current study, we explored the differences in loneliness between fathers of children with and without ASD and identified interpersonal and familial resources (social support, family cohesion, and family adaptability) that might be related to levels of loneliness. Using a cross-sectional design, 348 fathers (of 114 children with ASD and 234 without) completed a series of questionnaires. Fathers of children with ASD reported higher levels of loneliness and lower levels of social support and family cohesion. A moderated mediation model indicated that the interaction between social support and family cohesion mediated the association between ASD group (i.e., ASD vs. non-ASD) and fathers' loneliness. Findings suggest the importance of interpersonal and familial resources (e.g., perceived social support and family cohesion) for family members at risk of loneliness.

The experiences of parents raising children with developmental disabilities in Ethiopia

LAY ABSTRACT

The experiences of parents raising children with developmental disabilities have been widely researched, although most of this research comes from Western, high-income countries. In comparison, little is known about the lived experiences of parents of children with developmental disabilities in low- and middle-income countries and in Africa in particular. We interviewed 14 mothers and 4 fathers in Addis Ababa and the rural town of Butajira to explore what life is like for parents caring for children with developmental disabilities in Ethiopia. Cultural and religious beliefs played a role in the types of delays or differences in their child's development that parents noticed early and the kinds of support they sought. Parents experienced stigma and lack of understanding from others. Their experiences regarding some of the challenges they faced such as lack of appropriate services varied based on where they lived (urban or rural). Single mothers especially were faced with multiple struggles including poverty, stigma, and lack of social support. Implications for future research and interventions that aim to increase knowledge about developmental disabilities, tackle stigma and improve the lives of children and their families are discussed.

Social Support and Parenting Stress in Hispanic Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The purpose of this integrative review is to synthesize the literature examining the relationship between parenting stress and social support in Hispanic parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A database search of studies that evaluated parenting stress and social support in this population was conducted. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria. Despite high stress levels, both informal and formal social supports improved parenting stress among Hispanic families. Few studies evaluated culturally sensitive social support interventions. With the increasing prevalence of ASD, the development of culturally sensitive social support interventions is necessary to promote the well-being of Hispanic families.

Factors associated with parental resolution of a child's autism diagnosis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Receiving a child's autism diagnosis can be stressful; as such, parent resolution contributes to the wellbeing and development of healthy parent-child relationships. In other significant childhood diagnoses (e.g., cerebral palsy, diabetes), the degree to which parents adjust to (a) their child's diagnosis and (b) their changes in expectations concerning their child's development and capacity (referred to as resolution to diagnosis), has been associated with improved outcomes including facilitating parent-child relationships and improved parental wellbeing. Given potential benefits to parent and child, and the heterogenous nature of autism, examining the unique factors associated with resolution to diagnosis is important. In this systematic review we identified factors that support or inhibit parental resolution to their child receiving a diagnosis of autism.

METHODS

We completed a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines of peer-reviewed studies from 2017 to 2022, that investigated parental resolution or acceptance of an autism diagnosis. Papers including "acceptance" needed to encompass both accepting the diagnosis and the implications regarding the child's abilities. We searched six databases (Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ProQuest), with additional papers located following review of reference lists.

RESULTS

Fourteen papers with 592 participants that investigated parental resolution or acceptance of an autism diagnosis, were included. We identified six common factors that facilitate or inhibit parental resolution and acceptance of an autism diagnosis including: symptom severity; religion, belief, and culture; knowledge and uncertainty; negative emotions (i.e., denial, shame, guilt); positive emotions; and support. Greater resolution was associated with improved "attunement and insightfulness" in the parent-child relationship.

LIMITATION

The review was limited by the small number of studies meeting inclusion criteria. Second, the quality of included studies was mixed, with over half of the studies being qualitative and only one randomized control trial (RCT) identified.

CONCLUSION

Parental resolution can have an impact on parent's perception of their child's capabilities and impact the parent-child relationship. We identified six categories that aid in inhibiting or promoting resolution to diagnosis. Despite taking a broad approach on the definition of resolution, the low number of studies identified in the review indicates a need for more research in this area.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, PROSPERO [ID: CRD42022336283].

Comparing Fathers' and Mothers' Perspectives About Their Child's Autism Spectrum Disorder

Mothers are often the primary parent participants in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research. As a result, little is known about fathers' perceptions regarding their children's ASD and whether these perceptions differ from mothers'. Given the limited information available regarding fathers' perceptions about their children's ASD, this study aimed to investigate father variables (stress, coping, support, and perception of disability) and how they compare to mothers'. Participants were 361 biological parents (294 mothers and 67 fathers) of children on the autism spectrum who participated in a larger study. Results revealed significant differences between mothers' and fathers' self-reported stress and coping. Understanding differences between parents' perspectives has both research and clinical implications for working with families raising children on the autism spectrum.

Experiences of fathers regarding the diagnosis of their child with autism spectrum disorder: A narrative review of the international research

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this systematic review was to identify the views and experiences of fathers regarding their child's Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of a child's Autism Spectrum Disorder may be a stressful experience, creating uncertainty for parents. There has been a limited research focus on the views and experiences of fathers in relation to the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder of their child.

DESIGN

A systematic literature review of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research studies.

DATA SOURCES

Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO.

METHODS

From August to October 2020, two authors independently performed a systematic data extraction and appraised the studies using a recognised instrument. The PRISMA checklist was used in the review.

RESULTS

Nine papers met the inclusion criteria. Four themes emerged: (a) gradual recognition of developmental delay, (b) an emotional time, (c) coping and adaptation and (d) ongoing adjustments to the fathering role.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses and other professionals need to work collaboratively with fathers to improve their experiences and provide supports at the time of Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Self Compassion (SC) Training for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Trial in Community Services in Spain

This study aims to develop a clinical trial to test the efficacy of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and self-compassion (SC) program on self-reported values of anxiety, depression, and stress in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in primary school, in order to assess their integration into the framework of community intervention programs in Spain.

METHODS

A brief 8-week training program using mindfulness-based intervention (MBSR) and self-compassion (SC) has been applied to twelve Valencian ASD parents, ten of whom completed the program. Participants were assigned to two groups; both groups received the same treatment but at two different measurement moments. Depression, anxiety, stress, satisfaction with life and mindful attention awareness measurements were performed, in all participants, in three testing stages.

RESULTS

Analysis of variance results suggested that MBSR and SC training reduces stress and anxiety and increases mindful attention awareness. No significant changes were found in life satisfaction measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The small number of participants prevents us from generalizing the results found. More MBSR and SC clinical trials are needed in parents of ASD with results on anxiety, depression and stress in order to demonstrate the relevance of the inclusion of these programs in community-based early intervention services.

Mothers' Experiences and Challenges Raising a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Although the study of autism is burgeoning with important implications both for public health and society, there is little research exploring the experiences of raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from the maternal perspective. The aim of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of mothers of children with ASD in Greece. Nine mothers of children with ASD were recruited and engaged in semistructured interviews. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three interconnected themes were identified in the analysis: (a) emotional burden, (b) family burden, and (c) social burden. A key finding in the themes was the sense of burden, distress, and vulnerability experienced by the mothers. The findings provide valuable understanding of the experiences of mothers raising children with ASD in one of Europe's medium-income countries. Further, results can be used by researchers, clinicians, mental health providers, and policy makers to address the unique needs of families caring for and supporting children with ASD.

High Depression Symptoms and Burnout Levels Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Multi-Center, Cross-Sectional, Case-Control Study

The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a child affects family processes, increases parenting stress and marital conflicts, and may lead to parental psychopathology. It may also affect the prognosis for their children. The aim of this study is to determine depression and burnout levels as well as their predictors among parents of children with ASD compared with those of healthy children. We also sought to evaluate rate of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions among parents and explore the associations of this phenomenon in an exploratory fashion. 145 children with ASD and 127 control children were enrolled along with their mothers and fathers. Beck Depression Inventory and Maslach Burnout Inventory were used to evaluate parents' depression symptoms and burnout levels. Symptoms of children with ASDs were evaluated according to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale by the clinicians. Family, child and CAM variables were screened by means of a sociodemographic data form. Descriptive, bivariate and correlation analyses were used in statistical evaluations. Predictors of burnout were evaluated with multiple regression analysis. Burnout and depression levels among parents of children with ASD were significantly elevated compared to controls. Burnout levels of mothers were significantly elevated compared to fathers while depression scores of fathers were significantly elevated compared to mothers. Maternal burnout was significantly predicted by presence of functional speech in child while paternal burnout was significantly predicted by paternal vocation. Maternal depression was associated with paternal depression, lack of speech in child and attendance of child to special education services. Paternal depression was associated with autistic symptom severity and maternal depression. More than half the parents sought CAM interventions. Education level did not affect search for CAM interventions while both maternal and paternal psychopathology and presence of epilepsy among children increased use of CAM methods. Psychological support should be provided to both mothers and fathers of a child receiving a diagnosis of ASD. Addressing parents' burnout and stress levels and facilitating their negotiation of knowledge on etiology and treatments for ASD may be beneficial for the family unit as a whole.