Enrichment, stress, and growth from parenting an individual with an autism spectrum disorder

• Published in: Journal of intellectual & developmental disability Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 133 - 141
• Main Authors: Phelps, Kenneth W., McCammon, Susan L., Wuensch, Karl L., Golden, Jeannie A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK Ltd 01.06.2009; Routledge; Taylor & Francis, Ltd; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Autism; Autistic Disorder - complications; Autistic Disorder - psychology; Autistic spectrum disorders; caregiver; Caregivers; Caregivers - psychology; Carers; Caring; Child; Child Rearing; Children & youth; Children with disabilities; Coping; Correlation; Developmental disabilities; Disabilities; enrichment; Family Environment; Female; growth; Humans; Interpersonal Communication; Male; Measures (Individuals); Mental Health; Parent Attitudes; Parent-Child Relations; Parenting - psychology; Parents; Parents & parenting; Personal growth; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Positive impacts of caring; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychological tests; Psychology; Questionnaires; Severity (of Disability); Severity of Illness Index; Stress; Stress (Psychological); Stress Variables; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Symptoms
• DOI: 10.1080/13668250902845236
• ISSN: 1366-8250

Background Past researchers have focused primarily on the associated negative impact of caring for a child with special needs. In this study, caregivers report the enrichment and stress of caring for a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Method Eighty caregivers completed the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Effects of the Situation Questionnaire (ESQ), and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Enrichment and stress scores were compared to symptom severity data and posttraumatic growth scores. Results Consistent with prior research, caregivers reported greater levels of stress than enrichment. On just over half of the stress enrichment variables, parental ratings of stress and enrichment were negatively correlated. Scores of total stress and enrichment were not correlated to the severity of the individual's symptoms or caregivers' growth scores. Conclusions These findings suggest that although stress is a major concern for caregivers, enrichment and growth may also occur in varying degrees.