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Predictors of Daily Relationship Quality in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 70) completed online measures of global constructs (i.e., stable individual characteristics measured at time 1), which included resilience, depressive symptoms, and family functioning, followed by 14 daily questionnaires assessing relationship quality and affect on a given day. The global constructs were examined as predictors of daily relationship quality using multilevel modeling. Daily affect was examined in association with daily relationship factors (partner conflict, support from partner, and relationship happiness). Depressive symptoms and family flexibility predicted daily relationship quality. On a daily level, affect was associated with relationship quality. Results emphasize the potential of interventions to improve the quality of parents’ relationships by addressing maternal mental health, family functioning, and daily affect.

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LT, KW, MP, and NE collectively conceived the study, participated in its design, assisted with analysis and interpretation of data, drafted the manuscript, and revised it for important intellectual content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Timmons, L., Willis, K.D., Pruitt, M.M. et al. Predictors of Daily Relationship Quality in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 2573–2586 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2799-0

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