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Impacts of Autistic Behaviors, Emotional and Behavioral Problems on Parenting Stress in Caregivers of Children with Autism

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Abstract

This study examined the effects of autistic behaviors and individual emotional and behavioral problems on parenting stress in caregivers of children with autism. Caregivers were interviewed with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale and completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Parenting Stress Index Short Form. Results revealed that caregivers of children with mild/moderate autistic behavior problems perceived lower parenting stress than did those of children with no or severe problems. In addition, prosocial behaviors and conduct problems respectively predicted stress in the parent–child relationship and child-related stress. The findings can provide guidance in evaluations and interventions with a focus on mitigating parenting stress in caregivers of children with autism.

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Acknowledgments

We especially appreciate the occupational therapists of Country Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and De Shang Clinic, the social worker and the director of the St. Raphael Opportunity Center, and Yong Cheng Rehabilitation Clinic for their assistance with recruiting participants. We also thank all the caregivers and children for participating in the study. This study was supported by a grant awarded to the corresponding author from the National Science Council of Taiwan (100-2410-H-006-103-MY3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xu-Zhou Rd., Taipei, 100, Taiwan, ROC

    Chien-Yu Huang & Mei-Hui Tseng

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

    Mei-Hui Tseng & Kuan-Lin Chen

  3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi Mei Medical Center, No. 901, Zhonghua Rd., Tainan, 710, Taiwan, ROC

    Hsui-Chen Yen & Li-Chen Tung

  4. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Country Hospital, No. 61, Sec. 4, Renai Rd., Taipei, 106, Taiwan, ROC

    Ying-Dar Chen

  5. School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Rd., Tainan, 701, Taiwan, ROC

    Kuan-Lin Chen

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  1. Chien-Yu Huang
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  2. Hsui-Chen Yen
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  3. Mei-Hui Tseng
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  4. Li-Chen Tung
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Correspondence to Kuan-Lin Chen.

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Huang, CY., Yen, HC., Tseng, MH. et al. Impacts of Autistic Behaviors, Emotional and Behavioral Problems on Parenting Stress in Caregivers of Children with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 1383–1390 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-2000-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-2000-y

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