Family Quality of Life Perceived by Mothers of Children with ASD and ADHD

Existing research has compared Family Quality of Life (FQOL) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) populations and typically developing populations but has not yet explored differences in FQOL across ASD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and comorbid ASD and ADHD populations (ASD + ADHD). In the present study, 117 North American mothers of 92 sons and 25 daughters (ages 6-11) with ASD, ADHD, or ASD + ADHD completed an online survey exploring FQOL. An ANOVA failed to show group differences in overall FQOL, however, mothers of children with ASD + ADHD reported significantly lower family Emotional Well-being than mothers of children with ASD only. The results of this study provide insight into FQOL in families of children with ASD and/or ADHD. Greater research is needed in this area to understand how mothers of children with ASD, ADHD, or ASD + ADHD experience FQOL. The COVID-19 pandemic, which ran concurrent with this study, potentially influenced results.

The association between marital satisfaction and coparenting quality: A meta-analysis

Coparenting refers to the way parents or caregivers relate to each other as parents. Marital satisfaction (MS) is the subjective evaluation of the overall quality of one's relationship, including the extent to which needs, expectations, and desires are met. The coparenting relationship is distinct from, yet intimately connected to, the marital relationship. The objective of this study was to summarize and analyze current evidence regarding the association between MS and coparenting quality (CQ). Meta-analyses of 108 published and unpublished articles were conducted to evaluate the association between MS and CQ. In the meta-analysis of samples including both mothers and fathers, a medium association was found between MS and CQ, r = .41; 95% CI [.37, .44]; Q(88) = 1253.42. Separate meta-analyses of samples including only mothers and only fathers and an analog analysis of variance examining the moderating effect of parent gender found larger effects for mothers (r = .48) than fathers (r = .42). Maternal age, paternal education level, relationship length, and number of children were also significant moderators, with larger effects being found with families with more advanced maternal age, lower paternal education, longer relationships, and more children. The country, person reporting on CQ, and measure of CQ were also found to be statistically significant moderators. This research has implications that may inform the work of parent and family support services and contribute to positive family functioning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Parenting stress and FASD: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that may arise following prenatal exposure to alcohol. Children with FASD tend to experience a diverse set of physical, social, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Caregivers of these children likely experience elevated levels of parenting stress; however, research in this area is still in its infancy.

AIM

The present study sought to more fully understand the current state of the literature on parenting stress experienced by caregivers of children with FASD.

METHOD

Databases including PsycInfo, Scopus, PsycArticles, and Google Scholar were searched for records meeting our inclusion criteria.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

15 studies were deemed eligible for this review. This literature suggests that caregivers of children with FASD experience heightened levels of parenting stress. Child factors, especially child behavior and executive functioning difficulties are associated with Child Domain stress, while parent factors are associated with Parent Domain stress. Gaps were identified in child and caregiver mental health issues, as well as placement information.

Cannabis use and social anxiety in young adulthood: A meta-analysis

Young adulthood (ages 18 to 30 years old), a developmental age of exploration, is marked by new experiences and transitions. Cannabis use frequency is highest in young adulthood compared to other age periods. Social anxiety (characterized by fear, shyness, and inhibition in social situations where scrutiny and judgment is possible) is also prevalent during young adulthood. Social anxiety may be a complex predictor of cannabis use frequency and problems (e.g., any negative physical, emotional, or social outcome from use). Social anxiety may act as a risk factor as individuals may use cannabis frequently to manage their fear of negative evaluation and associated unpleasant affective states. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to quantify the magnitude of the associations between social anxiety and two cannabis variables (frequency of use and problems) in young adulthood. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify studies that included measures of social anxiety and at least one cannabis-related variable of interest among young adults. Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results revealed a small, statistically significant positive association between social anxiety and cannabis problems (r = 0.197, k = 16, p = <0.001), and a nonsignificant association between social anxiety and cannabis use frequency (r = 0.002, k = 16, p = 0.929). The association between social anxiety and cannabis use frequency was moderated by the mean age such that samples with older mean ages exhibited a stronger correlation. Additionally, the association between social anxiety and cannabis problems was moderated by clinically significant levels of social anxiety, such that samples with fewer participants who met clinical levels of social anxiety exhibit a stronger correlation. This meta-analysis supports the idea that there is a complex relation between social anxiety and cannabis outcomes during young adulthood.

Exploring the Relationships Between Problem Gambling and ADHD: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: At present, there are inconsistencies in the literature pertaining to the association between ADHD and problem gambling. This study utilized meta-analytic techniques to clarify the association between symptoms of problem gambling and symptoms of ADHD. Method: Several meta-analyses were conducted using a random effects model. PsycINFO, PubMed, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies. Results: The weighted mean correlation between ADHD symptomology and gambling severity was r = .17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [0.12, 0.22], p < .001. Mean age of the sample was the only moderator to approach significance, with greater age being linked to a stronger relationship between symptoms of ADHD and gambling severity. Conclusion: Clinicians needs to be cognizant of the greater risk of ADHD symptoms when working with problem gamblers and vice versa.

Maternal depression and infant attachment security: A meta-analysis

The purpose of this study is to clarify the magnitude of the association between maternal depression and infant attachment nonsecurity, and to identify possible moderators of this relationship. An extensive literature search was conducted using multiple databases of both published and unpublished studies. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between maternal depression and infant attachment security and to establish the effect size. The main findings from this meta-analysis, which included 42 studies, indicate that there is a small, yet significant, relationship between maternal depression and infant attachment nonsecurity. The rate of nonsecurity in infants of mothers with depression was approximately 20% higher than expected rates in a nonclinical population, and the association between depressive symptoms and nonsecurity was small, but significant. Infants of mothers with depression were nearly twice as likely to have a nonsecure attachment than were infants of healthy mothers. Depression measure and maternal sample source were identified as significant moderators of the odds ratio effect size. Results of this study demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between maternal depression and infant attachment nonsecurity, and suggest that interventions that focus on both maternal mental health and the attachment relationship are warranted.

Paternal depression and child externalizing behaviors: A meta-analysis

Although there is a consensus that maternal depression is strongly related to child externalizing behaviors, research on the association between paternal depression and child externalizing behaviors is mixed. Some research shows that paternal depressive symptoms are positively associated with symptoms of externalizing behaviors, including oppositional-defiant behavior, conduct problems, and overall externalizing behavior, while other studies failed to find an association, or demonstrated a weak or negative association. Given that the most recent meta-analysis on paternal depression and child externalizing behaviors is outdated, an updated meta-analysis is necessary. The present meta-analysis consisted of 52 published and unpublished articles that included a quantitative comparison between paternal depression and child externalizing behaviors. There was a small relationship between symptoms of paternal depression and symptoms of child externalizing behaviors (r = .15; 95% confident interval [.13, .18]; k = 49). Child gender was the only statistically significant moderator, with studies with a larger proportion of boys showing a larger effect (Q = 4.30, p = .038, k = 40); however, one of the articles was identified as an outlier. This moderator was no longer significant after the outlier was removed. Overall, the results suggest that clinicians working with families of fathers with depression should be cognizant of possible co-occurring child externalizing behaviors in the family. Directions for future research and other clinical implications are provided based on the findings of the current study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

The Association Between Peer Victimization and Attachment Security: A Meta-Analysis

Numerous studies have explored the relationship between parent–child attachment and peer victimization, a problem for many Canadian children and youth; however, research in this area has been mixed. The present study utilized meta-analytic procedures to clarify the relationship between parent–child attachment and peer victimization. A random effects model was used to complete these analyses. Following extensive database searches, 16 studies were found to be eligible for inclusion. A significant relationship was found between attachment security and peer victimization, r = −.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [−.18, −.10], p < .001. Sample ethnicity was the only significant moderator; samples with higher proportions of White participants had a stronger relationship between attachment and peer victimization. Although the results of this study highlight the existence of a relationship between attachment relationships and peer victimization, modest effect sizes suggest that this relationship is likely indirect, with other key variables mediating this relationship.

Parental Involvement and Children's School Achievement

This study used path analytic techniques and an ecological framework to examine the association between children's perceptions of their parents' educational involvement, children's personal characteristics, and their school achievement. Fathers' academic pressure was predictive of lower achievement, whereas mothers' encouragement and support predicted higher achievement. Both parents used more academic pressure with their sons, whereas using more encouragement and support with their daughters. The effects of parental involvement were mediated through children's academic competence. This study demonstrates the interactive influences of parents' educational involvement and children's personal characteristics in predicting school achievement. Implications for practice and research in school psychology are presented.