Differential predictors of well-being versus mental health among parents of pre-schoolers with autism
File version
Author(s)
Smith, Jodie
Bent, Catherine A
Chetcuti, Lacey
Sulek, Rhylee
Uljarević, Mirko
Hudry, Kristelle
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT: Raising a child with autism has been linked to mental health difficulties. Poor parental mental health is likely influenced by various factors - including child-, parent-, and family/socioeconomic characteristics. However, little is known about what influences and promotes well-being (as opposed to mental health) among parents of young, newly diagnosed autistic children who may be particularly vulnerable. We examined child-, parent-, and family/socioeconomic factors associated with each of mental health and well-being in a sample of 136 parents of pre-school-aged children. Parental mental health was linked to both child- (i.e. autism symptom severity) and parent-related factors (i.e. personality traits reflecting a tendency to experience negative emotions). By contrast, in additional to mental health difficulties, which were linked to well-being, only other parent-related characteristics (and not child characteristics) were related to well-being. These included personality traits reflecting a tendency to be more extraverted/sociable, and also mindfulness. Other child-related and family/socioeconomic context factors (including household income, parental education level) were not linked to parental mental health or well-being in this sample. These results support the idea that poorer mental health and well-being are not simply the opposite of one another. That is, while these two factors were related, they were linked to different personal characteristics. Perhaps most importantly, the link between well-being and mindfulness - a personal characteristic that parents can improve - suggests mindfulness-based interventions may be helpful in directly supporting parental well-being in the context of raising a young child with autism.
Journal Title
Autism
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
This publication has been entered as an advanced online version in Griffith Research Online.
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Specialist studies in education
Psychology
Cognitive and computational psychology
Biomedical and clinical sciences
autism severity
mental health
mindfulness
parents
personality
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Green, CC; Smith, J; Bent, CA; Chetcuti, L; Sulek, R; Uljarević, M; Hudry, K, Differential predictors of well-being versus mental health among parents of pre-schoolers with autism., Autism, 2021