Life Transition Process Effects on Depressive Symptoms in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between each phase of the Life Transition Process (LTP) and depressive symptoms among parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, data pertaining to LTP and depressive symptoms were collected from 285 parents of children with ASD (101 fathers and 184 mothers). Participants were recruited through the Autism Society of Korea and a counseling center for families of children with ASD. Results: Using a cutoff point of 5 or higher on the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form, more than half of the parents (53.4%) were deemed depressed; these parents experienced moderate (27.4%) to severe (11.6%) levels of depressive symptoms. A hierarchical multiple regression using the socio-demographic characteristics of children and parents and each phase of the LTP as predictors, found that lower income (β=-.14, p=.007) and greater scores for the wandering phase (β=.59, p<.001) were significant predictors of greater levels of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: These findings confirm the association between LTP and depressive symptoms for parents of children with ASD, who were found to have a greater risk of depressive symptoms during wandering phase.

An Integrated Review of The Factors Influencing Aggression in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…실제로 자폐스펙트럼장애 자녀의 어머니는 양육에 대한 스트레스가 심하고, 이 스트레스의 정도가 다운증후군이나 다른 발달장애 자녀의 부모 수준보다 높으며, 지능이나 언어발달의 지연, 자 폐스펙트럼장애의 주요증상, 동반질환 등이 공격성과 관련성 있는 요인으로 알려져 있다 [9]. 자폐스펙트럼장애 자녀의 주양 육자를 대상으로 한 연구에서 종종 부모의 신체적, 정서적, 재 정적 부담이 동반되고, 결혼관계에서의 스트레스 요인으로도 작용한다고 하였고 [13], 자녀들의 이상행동은 주양육자들의 정서에도 부정적 영향을 미쳐 부모의 임상적 우울이나 정신질 환으로 이어질 수 있다고 하였다 [13][14][15]…”