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Relationship Satisfaction and Dyadic Coping in Couples with a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

Dyadic coping strategies may play a pivotal role in relationship satisfaction and explain why some couples adapt positively to the challenges associated with raising a child with ASD and others do not. Survey data from 127 caregivers of a child with ASD were used in generalized estimating equation analyses to investigate the factors associated with relationship satisfaction, including socio-demographics, parenting stress and dyadic coping. Results showed that over two-thirds of the sample reported satisfaction, which was associated with low parenting stress, increased use of positive and decreased use of negative dyadic coping strategies. Positive dyadic coping was found to have a greater influence than negative dyadic coping, supporting a strengths-based approach to interventions promoting family resilience.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia

    Angela Sim, Reinie Cordier, Sharmila Vaz, Richard Parsons & Torbjörn Falkmer

  2. School of Occupational Therapy, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Torbjörn Falkmer

  3. Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences (IMH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University & Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, UHL, County Council, Linköping, Sweden

    Torbjörn Falkmer

  4. Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autism CRC), Long Pocket, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Torbjörn Falkmer

  5. School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Angela Sim

Authors
  1. Angela Sim
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  2. Reinie Cordier
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  3. Sharmila Vaz
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  4. Richard Parsons
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  5. Torbjörn Falkmer
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Contributions

AS conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination, performed the statistical analysis, interpreted the data and drafted the manuscript; RC participated in the design and coordination of the study and helped interpret the data and draft the manuscript; SV participated in the design and coordination of the study and helped interpret the data and draft the manuscript; RP participated in the design of the study, assisted with the statistical analysis and helped to draft the manuscript; TF conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination, and helped to interpret the data and draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Angela Sim.

Additional information

This research comprises part of a doctoral thesis.

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Sim, A., Cordier, R., Vaz, S. et al. Relationship Satisfaction and Dyadic Coping in Couples with a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 47, 3562–3573 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3275-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3275-1

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