Abstract

Background

Mothers of children with autism experience high levels of stress. However, little is known about whether maternal stressors differ across children of different ages.

Method

This study investigated stressors in mothers of 29 pre-school-aged and 27 school-aged children with autism. Correlation and regression analyses were used to determine if maternal stressors differed between the two age groups.

Results

Findings revealed no difference in maternal stress levels across the two age groups; however, stressors for each age group were different. Stressors in the school-aged group were related to repetitive behaviours, sensory sensitivities, and problematic behaviours, while stressors in the pre-school-aged group were mainly related to adaptive behaviours.

Conclusions

These findings are informative for practitioners and highlight the need for tailored supports and therapies for mothers of children with autism of different ages.

Citation

Zheng, L., Grove, R., & Eapen, V. (2019). Predictors of maternal stress in pre-school and school aged children with autism. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 44(2), 202-211. doi: 10.3109/13668250.2017.1374931