Gender and coping: the parents of children with high functioning autism

The Factors Predicting Stress, Anxiety and Depression in the Parents of Children with Autism

“…However, the fact that parental age has been shown to be a negative predictor of mental health problems for both mothers and fathers indicates that this is an area worthy of further research. shown to be significant predictors in stepwise regression analyses, externalizing behaviours still have a role to play, as evidenced by both the existing literature (Civick, 2008;Gray, 2003;Lecavalier et al, 2005) (Civick, 2008;Gray, 2003;Lecavalier et al, 2005; and socio-economic support (Gray & Holden, 1992;Lamminen, 2008;Lee, 2009). Studies One and two have demonstrated that parental cognitions related to parental locus of control and the perceived parent-child relationship (in particular perceived limit-setting ability) also have a role to play.…”

“…In a qualitative study of 32 mothers and 21 fathers of children with autism, fathers, although noting the severe difficulties that their child's autism presented for their families, claimed that their child's condition did not have a significant effect on them personally. Mothers, in contrast to fathers, reported an impact on both personal and family factors (Gray, 2003). The study also noted that having a child with autism tends to reduce families to traditional gender roles, with the mothers taking on a significantly greater proportion of the burden of care.…”

“…Child Behaviour Problems -A study conducted by Gray (2003) demonstrated that parents of children with autism displaying aggressive behaviour were more likely to experience parental stress than parents of children with autism who did not display aggressive behaviour. Gray theorized that the relationship between aggressive behaviour in the child and parental stress was mediated by the Social and Economic Support -In a study of 172 parents of children with autism, Gray and Holden (1992) found that both fathers and mothers who received more social support (in terms of availability of social support, as opposed to satisfaction with social support) had lower scores of depression, anxiety and anger.…”

“…Section 5.3 -Study One -Discussion The aim of Study One was to examine the factors predicting stress, anxiety and depression in the mothers of children with autism. Although the existing literature has identified that conduct problems, autism symptom severity and social support significantly predict stress, anxiety or depression in the mothers of children with autism (Civick, 2008, Gray, 2003Gray & Holden 1992;Lecavelier et al, 2005;Shieve, 2007), there is an inconsistency in both the dependent and independent variables used across the existing studies. It was hypothesised in the introduction to this study that conduct problems, autism symptom severity, social support and parental locus of control (Hassall et al, 2005) would significantly predict maternal stress, anxiety and depression when regressed separately from other variables, but that these variables may not predict maternal mental health problems when regressed together with other potential predictors.…”

Relationships between Sense of Coherence, Coping Strategies and Quality of Life of Parents of Children with Autism in Malaysia: A Case Study among Chinese Parents

“…The coping strategies parents used to deal with their child's autism included support from family and friends, joining support groups, connecting with other parents of children with autism, the use of service providers, advocacy and support groups and religion (DeMeyer, 1979;Gray, 2003;Hall & Graff, 2010). Studies also found significant associations between greater use of active-avoidance coping strategies with higher levels of depression, stress, and parenting stress (Paynter et al, 2013).…”