Stress and distress in New Zealand parents caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder

Mothers of Children With Special Health Care Needs: Exploring Caregiver Burden, Quality of Life, and Resiliency

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to explore caregiver burden, quality of life (QOL), and resilience in mothers of children with special health care needs (CSHCN), compare differences between mothers of CSHCN and healthy children, and differences between mothers of CSHCN on the basis of child severity.

METHOD

Mothers (n = 106) with a child aged < 18 years were recruited. A cross-sectional design was used. Measures included the Caregiver Burden Inventory, Quality of Life Scale, and Brief Resilience Inventory. Pearson point-biserial correlations and independent t-tests were used to compare group differences.

RESULTS

Caregiver burden and QOL were negatively correlated (p < .001). Mothers of CSHCN had greater burden (p < .001) and poorer QOL (p = .006). Child severity increased caregiver burden time (p = .003).

DISCUSSION

Study findings expound on research indicating mothers of CSHCN experience greater burden and poorer QOL than their peers, and child severity increases burden via time commitment. Health care providers should assess risk factors for poor QOL and caregiver burden and provide appropriate resources.

Barriers and facilitators for obtaining support services among underserved families with an autistic child: A systematic qualitative review

LAY ABSTRACT

Families from underrepresented ethnic or racial groups and those with limited financial resources could experience more difficulty in accessing support services for their autistic child due to certain types of barriers. We searched academic journals, websites, and other sources for studies which looked at what barriers might be present for such families and what might help families access support services for their autistic child. The search found 18 studies. Results from each study were examined and coded into themes. Parents reported that accessibility, diversity of support services, and stigma influenced their experiences with support services. We discuss what these findings might mean for future research and for service delivery.

Family quality of life and autism spectrum disorder: Comparative diagnosis of needs and impact on family life

BACKGROUND

Families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face ongoing challenges that can affect their family life. Helping those families cope with the impact of ASD and promote more positive family and child outcomes requires research to better understand the differential aspects of quality of life for those families.

AIM

This article examined the quality of life of 77 families (n = 45 families with children with ASD aged 0-12 years old, and n = 32 families with other developmental disabilities).

METHODS AND PROCEDURE

The Family Quality of Life Scale (FQOL) was applied.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

The relationships between importance and satisfaction were analyzed, contrasting differences between families, and studying the influence of age. Results show the presence of common needs, as the higher ratings in importance versus satisfaction evidenced, but also specific and more evident needs in families of children with ASD, motivated by the differential characteristics of the disorder and their environment. Age was relevant to focus support on priority areas.

CONCLUSION

The need to adapt to family individualities to promote their quality of life was concluded.

IMPLICATIONS

Those findings reinforce the importance of bringing together theoretical knowledge and evaluation of professional practice as a framework for converting the latter into good practices and quality actions.

Stress in mothers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Purpose

Most parents experience stress when their children are diagnosed with some kind of disability. This paper aims to compare the level of stress among mothers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Design/methodology/approach

Research sample consisted of 150 mothers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (50 mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder, 50 mothers of children with intellectual disability and 50 mothers of children with specific learning disorder selected by convenience sampling). The Stress Response Inventory was used for measuring stress. One-way analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance and Scheffe post hoc tests were used for data analysis.

Findings

The results showed that the stress of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder was significantly higher than to the other groups of mothers. It was also observed that the stress of mothers of children with intellectual disability was significantly higher than the mothers of children with the specific learning disorder.

Originality/value

Therefore, designing and implementing preventive and interventional programs to decrease the stress of mothers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder is necessary.