Abstract
We evaluated social anxiety (SA) symptoms in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs; N = 131) and community
parents (N = 597) using the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI). SA was significantly more common in ASD than control
mothers (15.6 vs. 6.7 %) and more equal between the ASD and control fathers (3.3 vs. 4.8 %). The ASD mothers scored significantly
higher than control mothers on all SPAI scales. ASD fathers scored significantly higher than control fathers on the somatic,
cognitive, avoidance and agoraphobic symptoms of SA. It is of clinical import to support ASD parents’ well-being as their
psychiatric features may contribute greatly to their children’s emotional development and the well-being of the whole family.
parents (N = 597) using the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI). SA was significantly more common in ASD than control
mothers (15.6 vs. 6.7 %) and more equal between the ASD and control fathers (3.3 vs. 4.8 %). The ASD mothers scored significantly
higher than control mothers on all SPAI scales. ASD fathers scored significantly higher than control fathers on the somatic,
cognitive, avoidance and agoraphobic symptoms of SA. It is of clinical import to support ASD parents’ well-being as their
psychiatric features may contribute greatly to their children’s emotional development and the well-being of the whole family.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-012-1581-1
- Authors
- Sanna Kuusikko-Gauffin, Department of Child Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O.B. 26, 90029 Oulu, Finland
- Rachel Pollock-Wurman, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Marja-Leena Mattila, Department of Child Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O.B. 26, 90029 Oulu, Finland
- Katja Jussila, Department of Child Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O.B. 26, 90029 Oulu, Finland
- Hanna Ebeling, Department of Child Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O.B. 26, 90029 Oulu, Finland
- David Pauls, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Irma Moilanen, Department of Child Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O.B. 26, 90029 Oulu, Finland
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257