The Impact of Children With High-Functioning Autism on Parental Stress, Sibling Adjustment, and Family Functioning

    Authors

    P. A. Rao;D. C. Beidel

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Behav. Modificat.

    Keywords

    high-functioning autism; parent stress; siblings; family; MENTAL-RETARDATION; BEHAVIORAL-ADJUSTMENT; SPECTRUM DISORDERS; MOTHERS; DEPRESSION; COMPETENCE; FATHERS; SUPPORT; HEALTH; Psychology, Clinical

    Abstract

    The article discuses a study conducted to investigate the impact of children with high-functioning autism (HFA) on parental stress, sibling adjustment, and family functioning; the study involves a sample of parents of 15 children with HFA and parents of 15 matched control children who completed questionnaires measuring the dependent variables. The results indicate parents of children with HFA experience significantly more parenting stress than parents of children with no psychological disorder, which was found to be directly related to characteristics of the children. The study further shows that the higher intellectual functioning in children with HFa does not compensate for the stress associated with parenting children with autism spectrum disorders. Because the intervention efforts directed at children with HFa will not eliminate the child's primary symptoms, treatment programs may need to address parental stress, which in turn will help optimize treatment outcome for the child and the family.

    Journal Title

    Behavior Modification

    Volume

    33

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2009

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    437

    Last Page

    451

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000268313600002

    ISSN

    0145-4455

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