Mothers of children with autism or communication disorders: Successful adaptation and the double ABCX model

Abstract

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a modified Double ABCX or FAAR model in predicting successful adaptation--good marital adjustment, few maternal depressive symptoms, and an in-home rating of family functioning--in 45 families of autistic and communication-impaired children. The model consisted of severity of the handicap and other family stresses, family resources of cohesion and social support, family definition of the handicap, and adequacy of coping patterns. Canonical correlation and subsequent multiple regression procedures demonstrated that family adaptation was positively predicted by adequacy of social support and active coping patterns. Poorer adaptation was predicted by other family stresses, unwarranted maternal self-blame for the handicap, and maternal definition of the handicap as a family catastrophe. Findings for cohesion were mixed. Resources and beliefs were more predictive of adaptation than severity of the child's handicap.

The Brief Family Distress Scale: A Measure of Crisis in Caregivers of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Frequently occurring child-related stressors among parents of children with ASD or other developmental disabilities include the severity of a child's disability (Bristol, 1987;Krauss, 1993), the child's caretaking demands (Minnes, 1988), and most notably, the child's problem behaviors (internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors; Hastings, 2002;Hodapp et al, 1997). Caregiver variables such as education, financial resources, and health, have also been identified as stressors (Hauser-Cram et al, 2001;Minnes et al, 2007).…”

Empowerment and Parent Gain as Mediators and Moderators of Distress in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…One early study found that the model was an effective way of framing family adaptation in families of children with autism or severe communication disorders (Bristol, 1987). Another study found that the model was helpful in explaining parental stress of fathers and mothers of children with intellectual disability (Saloviita, Italinna, Leinonen, 2003).…”

Être parent d'un enfant autiste :

“…Dans le même ordre d'idées, plusieurs autres auteurs ont identifié divers facteurs liés à l'augmentation des effets du stress que génère la pathologie de l'autisme sur les familles. À ce sujet, des auteurs soutiennent que le sexe du parent (Bristrol et al, 1988;Gray & Holden, 1992;Milgram & Atzil, 1988), le degré et le type de soutien social reçu (Bristrol, 1984;Bristol, 1987;Bristol et al, 1988;Gray & Holden, 1992;Milgram & Atzil, 1988), la présence de stress additionnels (Bristrol, 1987), l'âge de l'enfant (Bristol, 1987;Gray & Holden, 1992;Hasting et al, 2005) et l'obligation de réaliser d'autres activités occupationnelles Bristol, 1987;Hasting et al, 2005) De plus, le fait de vivre avec un enfant ayant des besoins particuliers limite le temps pour les parents de pouvoir répondre à leurs propres besoins (Bouma & Schweitzer, 1990, Fox et al , 2002, Howlin, 1988. Holroy et McArthur (1976) Dans ces familles, l'estime de soi des enfants serait moins élevé et il serait plus fréquent d'y relever divers symptômes de dépression (Gold, 1993;Rodrigue et al 1993).…”