Maternal stress in children with autism and/or learning disability1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Impact of behaviour, autism symptom severity and cognitive ability on parenting stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder and/or learning disability.
IRAS ID
170299
Contact name
Jennifer Howarth
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 2 days
Research summary
Parenting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been found to be more stressful than parenting typically developing children and children with other developmental disorders, including learning disability (LD). Both child behaviour and the severity of ASD symptoms have been found to predict maternal stress. In addition, people with ASD and LD display more severe ASD symptoms and higher rates of problem behaviour. A major limitation in the literature is that studies tend to either match children on their cognitive ability or do not measure cognitive ability. This means that what impact having a learning disability has on behaviour, ASD symptoms and parental stress cannot be demonstrated. The aim of the research is to determine whether child behaviour, cognitive ability or the severity of autism symptoms predicts the most stress in mothers. It is hoped that the findings of the research will aid clinician’s in devising targeted interventions. The study will employ a quantitative cross-sectional design. Participants will be recruited from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) within Tees Esk and Wear Valleys Foundation Trust (TEWV). Clinicians will identify children that have undergone an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV assessment; formal diagnostic tools for ASD and LD. Mothers will provide demographic information and complete a measure of stress (Family Impact Questionnaire; Donenberg & Baker, 1993) and behaviour problems (Nisonger Child Behaviour Rating Form; Aman, Tassé, Rojahn & Hammer, 1996).
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0146
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion