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Coping and Well-Being in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

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Abstract

This study examined psychological well-being and coping in parents of children with ASD and parents of typically developing children. 73 parents of children with ASD and 63 parents of typically developing children completed a survey. Parents of children with ASD reported significantly more parenting stress symptoms (i.e., negative parental self-views, lower satisfaction with parent–child bond, and experiences of difficult child behaviors), more depression symptoms, and more frequent use of Active Avoidance coping, than parents of typically developing children. Parents of children with ASD did not differ significantly in psychological well-being and coping when compared as according to child’s diagnosis. Study results reinforced the importance of addressing well-being and coping needs of parents of children with ASD.

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Acknowledgments

This study is supported by a grant from the Woodbridge Hospital Charity Fund in affiliation with the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore. Special thanks to the Neuro-Behavioral Clinic (Autism Services), Child Guidance Clinic, Institute of Mental Health, for the assistance in the conduct of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, James Cook University Singapore, 149 Sims Drive, Singapore, 387380, Singapore

    Wei Wei Lai & Tian P. S. Oei

  2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore

    Tze Jui Goh & Min Sung

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  1. Wei Wei Lai
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  3. Tian P. S. Oei
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Correspondence to Wei Wei Lai.

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Lai, W.W., Goh, T.J., Oei, T.P.S. et al. Coping and Well-Being in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). J Autism Dev Disord 45, 2582–2593 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2430-9

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