Supportive Dyadic Coping and Psychological Adaptation in Couples Parenting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

In couples parenting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the partner becomes a primary source of support for addressing the additional parenting demands. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between supportive dyadic coping and parental adaptation, and to assess the mediating role of relationship satisfaction between them. Seventy-six couples parenting children with ASD participated. Data were gathered through self-report questionnaires and an Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was used. Mothers' and fathers' supportive dyadic coping was related to both their own and partner's relationship satisfaction and parental adaptation. Findings also revealed the mediation role of relationship satisfaction, in the association between supportive dyadic coping and parental adaptation. The implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.

Exploring Children’s Creative Self-Efficacy Affected by After-School Program and Parent–Child Relationships

“…Therefore, whether the parent–child interaction is good or bad can usually be seen from how the parent–child relationship in the family living situation is adjusted. García-López et al (2016) define the adjustment of the parent–child relationship as referring to the aspects of mutual love–hate, rejection–acceptance, domination–autonomy, and restraint–indulgence between parents and children in the context of family life in terms of emotional, authoritative, and structural interactions in isotropic space. In addition, a good parent–child relationship depends on the proper upbringing of the children by the parents, adequate love exchanges between the parents and the children, and good communication between them.…”

Role of Relationship Satisfaction in Parental Coping

“…In contrast, dyadic coping has been relatively neglected, even though the literature on ASCrelated parental adaptation recognizes the couple relationship as a primary source of support. In particular, in couples parenting individuals with ASC, the partner becomes a key source of both emotional and instrumental support for addressing the additional parenting demands associated with the disorder (García-López et al 2016a). From a systemic-transactional perspective, dyadic coping involves coping strategies aimed at maintaining or restoring the structural, functional, behavioral, emotional, and social balance of the whole dyadic system, as well as the equilibrium of each partner.…”

Dyadic Coping, Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia, and Depressive Symptoms Among Parents of Preschool Children

“…Similar results have been found among couples of patients with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dementia ( Meier et al, 2011 ; Gellert et al, 2017 ; Zajdel et al, 2018 ). Furthermore, greater supportive DC was associated with less parenting stress among parents of children with autism ( García-López et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Given this increased exposure to psychosocial stressors, it is not surprising that a significant percentage of parents of young children experience elevated depressive symptoms that often last throughout the preschool years ( Evenson and Simon, 2005 ; Horwitz et al, 2009 ; Garfield et al, 2014 ). This normative developmental period represents a period of time where the role of DC may be especially important in helping individuals adjust to the daily parenting challenges that the couple is facing ( García-López et al, 2016 ; Zemp et al, 2017 ). In this context, the role of RSA in modulating the effect of DC may be salient.…”