A-261 The Role Parental Stress Plays on the Intelligence Test of 5-year-old Children with Potential Autism Trait

Abstract

Objective: IQ among children with various neuro-developmental disabilities (NDDs) has been found to be significantly associated with parental stress. However, research on the effects of parental stress on a child’s cognitive function has insubstantial results, particularly among children with potential Autism trait. The current study examined whether parental stress is associated with cognitive scores among children with potential Autism trait relative to children without Autism trait. A subsample of 97 mothers and their 5-year-old children was extracted from the Stress in Pregnancy Study. Mothers completed a Parenting Stress Index (PSI), reporting magnitude of stress in the parent, and an Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ10) questionnaire, disclosing possible Autism trait in their child. Children were administered the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) to assess different domains of cognitive function. A two-by-two Factorial ANOVA was conducted to compare main effects of predictors (parental stress and child’s potential Autism trait) and its interaction on child’s cognitive performance (IQ). The results showed a significant interaction toward the Children Full Scale IQ, F(1, 93)= 11.46, p= .001, Verbal Comprehension, F(1, 93)= 6.54, p= .01, Visual Spatial, F(1, 93)= 4.64, p= .03, Fluid Reasoning, F(1, 93)= 5.81, p= .02, and Working Memory, F(1, 93)= 13.25, p< .001. Notably, there was an increase in cognitive function among children with potential Autism trait and higher stress parent. These findings contrasted previous literature, suggesting higher parental stress may in fact favor child intellectual outcomes.