Uplifts, Respite, Stress, and Marital Quality for Parents Raising Children With Down Syndrome or Autism

Abstract

Direct, indirect, and partner effects estimated among uplifts, respite care, stress, and marital quality across mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 102) and Down syndrome (n = 111) were examined in this cross-sectional study. Parents of children with ASD who reported more uplifts and less stress individually reported better marital quality; these wives reported better marital quality as their husbands reported more uplifts and less stress. Wives with children with DS who reported more uplifts, individually along with their husbands reported less stress and better marital quality. Respite was directly associated with marital quality for parents of children with ASD and indirectly associated with marital quality for parents of children with DS with reduced individual stress. Implications are discussed.

Adaptation at the Family Level in Families of Individuals With Down Syndrome: A Scoping Review

“…In terms of how the measures were positioned in the study, in the following four studies (Easler et al, 2022; Esbensen et al, 2022; Gugliandolo et al, 2022; E. Y. Lee et al, 2021), measures were positioned as correlates.…”

“…Although most authors ( N = 28) did not identify the conceptual underpinnings of their study, 13 reported using a family framework, including the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation or earlier versions of the model by McCubbin et al (1996) (Braga et al, 2021; Caples et al, 2018; J. Choi & Van Riper, 2020; Cless et al, 2017; Duarte et al, 2022; Easler et al, 2022; Gugliandolo et al, 2022; A. Lee et al, 2020; E.…”

“…x Easler et al, 2022 This study aimed to bridge gaps in research concerning the caregivers of children with DS or ASD using an actor-interdependence model.…”

“…In seven studies, totaling 351 respondents, the authors did not specify who the family member respondent was (Carrada et al, 2019;Darla & Bhat, 2021;Huiracocha et al, 2017;Ilacqua et al, 2019;Ljubicic et al, 2020;Persons, 2017;Steffensen et al, 2022). Clark et al, 2020;Cless et al, 2017;Easler et al, 2022;Esbensen et al, 2022;Ilacqua et al, 2019;Korkow-Moradi et al, 2017;Marshall et al, 2019;Sheldon et al, 2021;Shivers et al, 2019;Van Riper et al, 2018 This study aimed to assess the OHRQoL for children with DS and their families using the validated OHRQoL tool.…”

Family adaptation in families of individuals with Down syndrome from 12 countries

“…Down syndrome (DS), the most common chromosomal condition associated with intellectual disability, affects both the functioning of the individual who has DS (Bull, 2020; Bull et al, 2022; Santoro et al, 2023) and the functioning of the individual's family (Caples et al, 2018; Esbensen et al, 2021; Lederman et al, 2015; Marchal et al, 2016; Povee et al, 2012; Pruktarat et al, 2021). Due to the health, developmental, and social challenges commonly associated with DS, some families of individuals with DS may experience increased stress, fatigue, burden, social isolation, and problematic functioning (Alam El‐Deen et al, 2021; Barros et al, 2017; de la Garza et al, 2023; Easler et al, 2022; Huiracocha et al, 2017; Lee et al, 2021; Mishra et al, 2023; Shetty et al, 2023; Spinazzi et al, 2023; Thomas, 2021). However, there is growing evidence that many families adapt to these ongoing challenges with strength and resilience (Bertrand, 2019; Caples et al, 2018; Choi & Yoo, 2015; Clark et al, 2020; Flaherty & Glidden, 2000; Sheldon et al, 2021; Skotko et al, 2016; van Riper, 2007).…”