Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Lisa M. Scharff

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1% of the world population and places caregivers at an increased risk of stress. Researchers have begun to explore coping mechanisms such as appraisal to understand how parents and caregivers of people with ASD cope with parental stress, but their results have been inconsistent. There was a gap in existing literature regarding the influence of ASD symptoms on the relationship between use of appraisal (reframing negative concepts into a more favorable light), and parental stress. The ABCX model of family adaptation was used to understand how coping skills might protect against parental stress and to determine whether symptoms of ASD mediate the relationship between stress and coping. Parents of children with a diagnosis of ASD aged 3–12 years (N = 90) were recruited via social media, forums, and flyers handed out at treatment facilities in the United States. Parental stress, coping mechanisms, and symptoms of ASD were measured using valid and reliable quantitative measures via anonymous online surveys. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated significant moderation by the ASD symptom of stereotypies and overall symptom severity: Use of appraisal by parents was associated with increased parental stress as each of those variables increased. The results were inconsistent with some existing findings and supported others, demonstrating that the relationship between stress and coping in these parents is complicated. The findings have the potential to create positive social change through development of education or treatment that reduces treatment costs and improves of the quality of life of parents caring for children with ASD.

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