Thesis
Protective factors against distress for caregivers of a child with autism spectrum disorder
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2017
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100549
Abstract
Caregivers of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience elevated distress. Several factors have been shown to contribute to such distress, including ASD symptom severity and general child behavior problems. This study examined variables that may serve as protective factors against distress for caregivers of a child with ASD. Variables of interest include family resources, perceived social support, parenting efficacy, and knowledge of ASD (actual knowledge and the agreement between actual and perceived knowledge). To examine these questions, 157 caregivers of a child with ASD (ages 4 to 11 years) completed a survey via an online questionnaire. Caregivers completed various measures regarding their children's behavior (including measures of ASD symptom severity, externalizing behaviors, and internalizing behaviors), a self-report measure assessing their own distress, and measures regarding the hypothesized moderating variables. Results demonstrated significant main effects for all variables of interest, indicating important variables that influence caregiver distress. However, only the discrepancy between actual and perceived knowledge of ASD moderated the relations between child behavior and caregiver distress. There was also a trend when examining parenting efficacy as a moderator; however, the effect size was small and did not reach statistical significance. Exploratory analyses revealed several significant three- and four-way interactions among child factors and proposed moderators, indicating the complex relations among family, caregiver, and child factors when predicting caregiver distress. Results indicate important factors that should be emphasized when working with families of a child with ASD, especially when caregivers are reporting or are at risk for high levels of distress. Limitations of the current study and the need for future research are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Protective factors against distress for caregivers of a child with autism spectrum disorder
- Creators
- Rebecca Ann Lindsey
- Contributors
- Tammy D. Barry (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Psychology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525117501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis