Stress Assessment in Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Prospective Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Family Studies

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a manageable condition without a cure, often leading to significant parental stress.
• Parental stress in ASD is frequently overlooked, necessitating early identification and comprehensive management strategies.
• Early intervention and holistic care are crucial for children diagnosed with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and quantify the impact of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on parental stress levels.
• To compare stress levels between parents of children with ASD and parents of typically developing children.
• To identify factors influencing parental stress in families with ASD.

Main Methods:

• A prospective case-control study was conducted over 18 months involving 111 newly diagnosed children with ASD (ages 2-9) and 99 typically developing controls.
• Diagnosis of ASD was based on International Clinical Epidemiology Network (INCLEN) criteria (DSM-V).
• The Autism Parenting Stress Scale and a questionnaire were administered to assess parental stress, with exclusions for parents with pre-existing mental health conditions.

Main Results:

• Parents of children with ASD reported significantly higher stress scores compared to parents of typically developing children.
• A substantial majority (94.6%) of parents with children diagnosed with ASD exhibited significant stress levels.
• Analysis revealed higher stress among parents from higher socioeconomic backgrounds and metropolitan areas.

Conclusions:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) significantly exacerbates parental stress, particularly in higher socioeconomic and urban settings.
• The findings underscore the necessity for tailored support and interventions to mitigate parental stress and enhance family well-being.
• Special attention is recommended for supporting parents of higher-functioning children with ASD.