Parenting Goals: Links with Parenting Strategies in Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Objectives Parenting goals describe the outcomes that parents aim for when interacting with their child. They have received little attention in research with caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study explored different types (dimensions) of parenting goals reported by caregivers of children with ASD, investigated links between these parenting goals and child characteristics, and explored whether parenting goals were linked to reported use of particular parenting strategies. Methods Data from 161 caregivers of children with ASD aged 7–18 years revealed two goal dimensions: “Norm Adherence Goals” (i.e. the perceived importance of the child cooperating with the parent, respecting their authority, and behaving well in public); and “Autonomy Support and Relationship Goals” (i.e. the perceived importance of promoting the child’s resilience, wellbeing, and the quality of the parent-child relationship). Results Parents who reported that norm adherence goals were particularly important to them were more likely to endorse parenting strategies such as setting rules, using rewards, and giving punishments. These parents also reported using less “Accommodation” (e.g. making allowances for their child, being flexible, avoiding triggers). Autonomy support and relationship goals were very strongly endorsed by nearly all parents, and we therefore could not find strong links between the importance of these goals and parenting strategies. Conclusion These findings suggest that parenting goals might be importantly linked to parenting strategies and could be considered in personalizing interventions in clinical practice. Given that parents’ cognitions about their child’s behaviour and their role as parents likely interact with and influence their parenting goals, we argue that future research should investigate parenting goals, cognitions, and behaviours in parallel.

The Relations between Repetitive Behaviors and Family Accommodation among Children with Autism: A Mixed-Methods Study

“…The second definition of FAB, found in studies related to obsessive compulsive and anxiety disorders, refers to family members’ behaviors aiming to prevent the child from responding with distress or anger outbursts to actual or anticipated exposure to a stressor [ 19 , 20 ]. Common examples include changing family plans to accommodate the child and providing reassurance and active involvement in rituals or repetitive behaviors [ 21 ]. Although FAB are protective by nature, they may often be overprotective.…”