The results of this study highlight the value of the multidimensional approach. The specific patterns of results for mothers and fathers contribute to comprehension of the psychological adaptation of parents. Findings could be taken into account in interventions with families.

Couples affect each other cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally. The goal of this study is to test the benefits and potential use of the actor-partner interdependence model in examining how parental self-efficacy and positive contributions of fathers and mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Condition influence each other's psychological adaptation. The sample includes 76 Spanish couples who completed validated questionnaires measuring predictors, i.e., self-efficacy and positive contributions, and adaptation outcomes i.e., stress, anxiety, depression and psychological well-being. Multilevel analysis revealed many actor and some partner effects of parental self-efficacy and positive contributions to be important determinants of adaptation above and beyond child and sociodemographic factors, and as such, these effects should be targeted in clinical intervention programs.

In couples parenting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the partner becomes a primary source of support for addressing the additional parenting demands. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between supportive dyadic coping and parental adaptation, and to assess the mediating role of relationship satisfaction between them. Seventy-six couples parenting children with ASD participated. Data were gathered through self-report questionnaires and an Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was used. Mothers' and fathers' supportive dyadic coping was related to both their own and partner's relationship satisfaction and parental adaptation. Findings also revealed the mediation role of relationship satisfaction, in the association between supportive dyadic coping and parental adaptation. The implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.

Título: Un modelo global de estrés en padres de personas con trastornos del espectro autista. Resumen: Esta investigación tiene como objetivo el análisis del estrés en las madres y en los padres de personas con trastornos del espectro autista (TEA), con el fin de identificar las variables relevantes en la adaptación al estrés y las posibles diferencias de género. Proponemos un modelo multidimensional, basado en el modelo teórico Doble ABCX, en el que el resultado de estrés depende de cuatro factores interrelacionados: las característi-cas de la persona con TEA (severidad del trastorno y problemas de conducta), los apoyos sociales, la percepción de la situación (evaluada mediante el sentido de la coherencia) y las estrategias de afrontamiento. Cincuenta y nueve parejas (59 madres y 59 padres) con un hijo/a diagnosticado/a de TEA participaron en el estudio. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando path análisis a través del programa estadístico LISREL 8.80. Se obtuvieron dos modelos empíricos de estrés: uno para madres y otro para padres. En ambos modelos la severidad del trastorno y los problemas de conducta presentaron un efecto directo y positivo sobre el estrés. El sentido de la coherencia (SOC) y las estrategias de afrontamiento de evitación activa presentaron un papel mediador en los modelos. Los apoyos sociales resultaron relevantes sólo para las madres. Finalmente, se discuten las aportaciones de estos resultados para el trabajo de los profesionales con las familias. Palabras clave: Trastornos del espectro autista; modelo doble ABCX; estrés parental; problemas de conducta; severidad del trastorno; sentido de la coherencia; apoyo social; estrategias de afrontamiento.Abstract: This research sought to analyse stress among mothers and fathers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to determine the relevant variables for its explanation and the possible gender differences. To examine parents' stress, we propose a multidimensional model based on the Double ABCX theoretical model. We argue that the result of stress depends on the following four interrelated factors: the characteristics of the individual with ASD (the severity of the disorder and behaviour problems), the social supports, the parents' perception of the situation (evaluated by sense of coherence) and the coping strategies. Fifty-nine sets of parents (59 mothers and 59 fathers) of individuals diagnosed with ASD participated in the study. The data were analysed using a path analysis through the LISREL 8.80 program. We obtained two empirical models of stress: one model for mothers and one for fathers. In both models, the severity of the disorder and the behaviour problems had a direct and positive effect on stress. The sense of coherence (SOC) and active avoidance coping strategies had a mediating role in models. Social support was relevant only for mothers. Finally, the results offer some guidelines for professionals working with families.

The transition to adulthood and adulthood itself have been identified as times of stress for parents of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Longitudinal studies, however, show improvements in the well-being of mothers of adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. This article presents a cross-sectional study of 102 Spanish parents (51 mothers and 51 fathers) of 102 individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The aim was to examine parental well-being (evaluated based on stress, anxiety, depression and psychological well-being) in three groups of parents of adults, adolescents and young children with autism spectrum disorder. In addition, the relationships between parental well-being and the characteristics of their children, social support, parental age and sense of coherence were analysed. The results showed that although parental stress and psychological well-being levels were similar across the groups, depression and anxiety were lower in parents of adolescents or adults compared with parents of young children. Different factors predicted different measures of parental well-being, but sense of coherence emerged as the main predictive factor for all parental well-being measures. These findings are discussed in relation to parental adaptation over the lifespan and the implications for interventions in autism spectrum disorder families.