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Respite Care, Marital Quality, and Stress in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at risk for having higher stress and lower marital quality than other parents. Survey data regarding respite care, marital quality, and daily hassles and uplifts were obtained from 101 mother-father dyads who were together raising at least one child with ASD (total # of children = 118). Number of hours of respite care was positively related to improved marital quality for both husbands and wives, such that a 1-h increase in weekly respite care was associated with a one-half standard deviation increase in marital quality. This relationship was significantly mediated by perceived daily stresses and uplifts in both husbands and wives. More respite care was associated with increased uplifts and reduced stress; increased uplifts were associated with improved marital quality; and more stress was associated with reduced marital quality. The number of children in the family was associated with greater stress, and reduced relational quality and daily uplifts. Results suggest policymakers and practitioners should develop supports for providing respite for families raising children with ASD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Giant Steps, Wasatch Mental Health, 921 North 1240 East, Orem, UT, 84097, USA

    Amber Harper

  2. Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, Brigham Young University, 340-F McKay Building, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

    Tina Taylor Dyches

  3. School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, 273 Taylor Building, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

    James Harper

  4. School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, 2089 Joseph F. Smith Building, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

    Susanne Olsen Roper

  5. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, 245 Taylor Building, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

    Mikle South

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  1. Amber Harper
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  2. Tina Taylor Dyches
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Correspondence to Tina Taylor Dyches.

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Harper, A., Dyches, T.T., Harper, J. et al. Respite Care, Marital Quality, and Stress in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 43, 2604–2616 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1812-0

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