The reciprocal relationship of ASD, ADHD, depressive symptoms and stress in parents of children with ASD and/or ADHD

Daphne J. Van Steijn*, Anoek M. Oerlemans, Marcel A G Van Aken, Jan K. Buitelaar, Nanda N J Rommelse

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This study investigated the role of parental Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depressive symptoms on parenting stress in 174 families with children with ASD and/or ADHD, using generalized linear models and structural equation models. Fathers and mothers reported more stress when parenting with their child with ASD and/or ADHD than when parenting with the unaffected sibling; they also experienced more stress than a norm population. Depressive symptoms were most pronounced in the parents of children with ASD and ASD+ADHD. Spouse correlations were found for ASD, depression, and parenting stress. Paternal ASD and maternal ADHD symptoms were related to increased parenting stress, and parental ADHD symptoms with depressive symptoms and parenting stress. The results highlight the increased burden of raising a child with ASD and/or ADHD and the reciprocal relationship this has with parents' ASD, ADHD, and depressive symptoms, and levels of stress.

Original languageEnglish
Article number44
Pages (from-to)1064-1076
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume44
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2014

Keywords

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Child pathology
  • Depressive symptoms
  • Parental symptoms
  • Parenting stress

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The reciprocal relationship of ASD, ADHD, depressive symptoms and stress in parents of children with ASD and/or ADHD'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this