Family System Interventions for Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Goepfert, Eric; Mulé, Christina; Hahn, Erik von; Visco, Zachary L.; Siegel, Matthew

doi:10.1016/j.chc.2015.02.009

Cited by 24 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…In our model, parenting stress and coparenting conflicts were independent predictors of marital conflicts and marital love, indicating that dyadic and triadic family interactions provided unique information in explaining marital qualities. Given the independent effects of the parenting and coparenting processes, parents of children with ASD may benefit from family interventions that address both dyadic (i.e., parenting) and triadic (i.e., coparenting) interactions [Goepfert, Mulé, von Hahn, Visco, & Siegel, 2015]. Future practitioners should consider both parent-child and interparental relationships when designing family support services and marital interventions for parents of children with ASD [Goepfert et al, 2015].…”

Section: Family Process Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Child Autistic Symptoms on Parental Marital Relationship: Parenting and Coparenting Processes as Mediating Mechanisms

Chan

Leung

2020

Autism Research

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Research shows that parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with increased marital conflicts and reduced marital love. Less is known, however, about the potential mechanism underlying these associations. The present study tested a family process model linking child autism to parental marriage. We hypothesized that child autistic symptoms would be associated with increased marital conflicts and reduced marital love among parents of children with ASD, and that these associations would be mediated by parenting stress and coparenting conflicts. A total of 382 parents of children with ASD from Hong Kong, China completed questionnaire measures of child autistic symptoms, parenting stress, coparenting conflicts, marital conflicts, and marital love. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and Bootstrap analyses were conducted to analyze the relations among the variables. SEM showed that child autistic symptoms were related to higher levels of parenting stress and coparenting conflicts, which were, in turn, related to increased marital conflicts and reduced marital love among parents of children with ASD. Bootstrap analyses further demonstrated that child autistic symptoms had significant indirect effects on marital conflicts and marital love via parenting stress and coparenting conflicts. Theoretically, this study revealed the potential pathways through which child autism symptomatology may adversely impact the family processes and compromise the marital relationships of parents of children with ASD. Practically, this study pointed to the utility of helping parents of children with ASD to manage child autistic symptoms, alleviate parenting stress, and reduce coparenting conflicts in improving their marital qualities. Lay Summary This study showed that child autistic symptoms were related to higher levels of parenting stress and coparenting conflicts, which were, in turn, related to increased marital conflicts and reduced marital love among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These findings pointed to the importance of helping parents of children with ASD to manage child autistic symptoms, alleviate parenting stress, and reduce coparenting conflicts in improving their marital qualities. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1516–1526. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Section: Family Process Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Child Autistic Symptoms on Parental Marital Relationship: Parenting and Coparenting Processes as Mediating Mechanisms

Chan

Leung

2020

Autism Research

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“…The family is a system, meaning that when one person is not functioning well (e.g., has received a diagnosis of ASD), it has a direct impact on the rest of the family members who may experience challenges such as changes in daily routines, lack of spontaneity, the presentation of sudden mood changes in the child with ASD, and the need to serve as mediators in social interactions (Cridland et al, 2014;Cridland et al 2015;Goepfert et al, 2015;Neely-Barnes & Dia, 2008). The three major characteristics of ASD include deficits in the areas of social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviors, and all three may have a direct impact on family members, especially the parents who experience unique stressors as they cope to manage the symptoms of ASD.…”

Section: Family Systems Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The three major characteristics of ASD include deficits in the areas of social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviors, and all three may have a direct impact on family members, especially the parents who experience unique stressors as they cope to manage the symptoms of ASD. The family is a system, in which each person serves a role and when a person has a disability, it can mean that members within the family system may have to change their roles to accommodate the person with the disability (Goepfert et al, 2015). Cridland et al, (2014) pointed out that about one-third of individuals with ASD require daily assistance with self-care, mobility, communication, and cognitive or emotional tasks (e.g., ways in which the child with ASD either expresses his or her thoughts and feelings or does not express them at all, leaving the parents to try to figure out how to fulfill the child with ASD's needs), which leads families to experience higher levels of stress overall.…”

Section: Family Systems Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Lived Experiences of Low-Income Mothers Raising Children with Autism

Sullivan

Stadtlander

2020

JSBHS

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Previous studies indicated that parents raising children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience higher rates of stress; however, no qualitative studies have addressed low-income parents’ lived experiences of raising children with ASD. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the challenges that low-income parents of children with ASD face daily within the framework of family systems theory. Interview questions were used to focus on the impact of income and the core symptoms of ASD (social deficits, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors) on marital and interpersonal relationships. Although the study was open to both mothers and fathers, only mothers participated in this study. Semi-structured interviews with 13 mothers were conducted, and transcripts were analyzed for themes. Results indicated some negative impacts on parents’ marital, social, and professional relationships. Themes included reports of stress and depression, decreased social interaction, low levels of personal and professional satisfaction, and decreased marital satisfaction. Results indicated that increased empathy and understanding of mothers’ challenges are needed to improve access to resources and services required for low-income parents of autistic children to enhance their family’s quality of life.

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“…To date, no other systematic review has been published on the subject and studies are lacking. One non‐systematic review 11 reports that whilst clear evidence of efficacy is lacking, family therapies might benefit families by improving relationships and strengths of the family living with ASD.…”

Section: Family Therapy For Autism Spectrum Disorders1mentioning

confidence: 99%

Is family therapy effective for people with autism spectrum disorder and their families? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary

Patrini

2020

Develop Med Child Neuro

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Family System Interventions for Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Cited by 24 publications

References 29 publications

The Impact of Child Autistic Symptoms on Parental Marital Relationship: Parenting and Coparenting Processes as Mediating Mechanisms

The Impact of Child Autistic Symptoms on Parental Marital Relationship: Parenting and Coparenting Processes as Mediating Mechanisms

The Lived Experiences of Low-Income Mothers Raising Children with Autism

Is family therapy effective for people with autism spectrum disorder and their families? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary

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