Abstract
The goals of this research were to identify which psychopathologies are common in parents of children with autistic spectrum
disorders (ASD) and to explore competing hypotheses regarding mechanisms contributing to this risk. By comparing rates of
psychopathology in mothers and fathers of children with ASD to rates of psychopathology in parents of typically developing
children, this study examined whether increased risk for psychopathology was likely related to genetics or to the burden of
caring for a child with a disability. Participants were 269 parents of children with ASD and 446 parents of typically developing
children. Mothers and fathers of children with ASD reported significantly more depression, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid
ideation, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. The pattern of findings suggests that genetic factors, as opposed to caregiving
demands, may contribute to the risk for psychopathology in parents of children with ASD.
disorders (ASD) and to explore competing hypotheses regarding mechanisms contributing to this risk. By comparing rates of
psychopathology in mothers and fathers of children with ASD to rates of psychopathology in parents of typically developing
children, this study examined whether increased risk for psychopathology was likely related to genetics or to the burden of
caring for a child with a disability. Participants were 269 parents of children with ASD and 446 parents of typically developing
children. Mothers and fathers of children with ASD reported significantly more depression, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid
ideation, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. The pattern of findings suggests that genetic factors, as opposed to caregiving
demands, may contribute to the risk for psychopathology in parents of children with ASD.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10882-010-9218-9
- Authors
- Danelle Hodge, Department of Psychology, California State University, San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407-2397, USA
- Charles D. Hoffman, Department of Psychology, California State University, San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407-2397, USA
- Dwight P. Sweeney, Department of Psychology, California State University, San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407-2397, USA
- Journal Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities
- Online ISSN 1573-3580
- Print ISSN 1056-263X