- Parents of children with autism experience greater stress and depression than parents of typically developing children (Baker-Ericzen et al, 2005, Higgens, 2005).
- Pre-intervention parental stress levels are the single most important predictor of the success of early intervention programs (Robbins et al, 1991).
- Self-compassion universally predicts parental well-being over and above the effects of child symptom severity (Neff & Faso, 2014)
- Mindfulness and psychological acceptance have a significant mediating effect on maternal anxiety, depression and stress.
References
- Baker-Ericzen, M. J., Brookman-Frazee, L., & Stahmer, A. (2005). Stress levels and adaptability in parents of toddlers with and without autism spectrum disorders. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 30, 194–204.
- Higgins, D.J., Bailey, S.R., & Pearce, J.C. (2005). Factors associated with functioning style and coping strategies of families with a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 9 (2), 125-137.
- Neff, K. D., & Faso, D. J. (2014). Self-Compassion and Well-Being in Parents of Children with Autism. Mindfulness, 1-10.
- Robbins, F. R., Dunlap, G., & Plienis, A. J. (1991). Family characteristics, family training, and the progress of young children with autism. Journal of Early Intervention, 15(2), 173-184.
- Jones, L., Hastings, R. P., Totsika, V., Keane, L., & Rhule, N. (2014). Child Behavior Problems and Parental Well-Being in Families of Children With Autism: The Mediating Role of Mindfulness and Acceptance.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilities,119(2), 171-185.
