| 1. |
- Parsons, Dave, et al.
(författare)
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Stress, coping, and quality of life in families with a child with ASD living regionally
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Child and Family Studies. - : Springer. - 1062-1024 .- 1573-2843. ; 29, s. 546-558
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The present study aimed to explore whether regionality is associated with differing stress levels, coping, QOL and daily routines for parents and families of a child with ASD (aged 2–18 years) in Western Australia using validated outcome measures and compare the stress levels and QOL of this group to population norms.Methods: A sample of 278 families living in Western Australia who have a child or adolescent (2–18 years old) with a clinical diagnosis of ASD participated in a cross-sectional survey. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was conducted to determine key factors associated between regionality and demographic variables, quality of life, coping styles, time use, and stress levels.Results: Parents living in low densely populated areas were more likely to adopt avoidant coping mechanisms, compared to those living in densely populated areas. Fathers with children on the autism spectrum were less likely to be educated above diploma level in regional and remote areas. Stress, QOL or daily routines did not differ by regionality; however, the total sample (i.e., parents from both LDP and DP areas) experienced significantly higher levels of stress and lower QOL when compared to the general population.Conclusions: The findings suggest that despite having higher levels of stress and lower QOL compared to the general population, residing in a geographically LDP area in Western Australia has a small association on preferred coping style preference and has no association on stress levels, QOL or daily routines for parents who have a child with ASD.
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| 2. |
- Cordier, Reinie, et al.
(författare)
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Piloting the use of experience sampling method to investigate the everyday social experiences of children with Asperger syndrome/high functioning autism.
- 2016
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Ingår i: Developmental Neurorehabilitation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1751-8423 .- 1751-8431. ; 19:2, s. 103-110
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: This pilot study explored the nature and quality of social experiences of children with Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism (AS/HFA) through experience sampling method (ESM) while participating in everyday activities.METHODS: ESM was used to identify the contexts and content of daily life experiences. Six children with AS/HFA (aged 8-12) wore an iPod Touch on seven consecutive days, while being signalled to complete a short survey.RESULTS: Participants were in the company of others 88.3% of their waking time, spent 69.0% of their time with family and 3.8% with friends, but only conversed with others 26.8% of the time. Participants had more positive experiences and emotions when they were with friends compared with other company. Participating in leisure activities was associated with enjoyment, interest in the occasion, and having positive emotions.CONCLUSIONS: ESM was found to be helpful in identifying the nature and quality of social experiences of children with AS/HFA from their perspective.
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| 3. |
- McAuliffe, Tomomi, et al.
(författare)
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A comparison of families of children with autism spectrum disorders in family daily routines, service usage, and stress levels by regionality
- 2017
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Ingår i: Developmental Neurorehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1751-8423 .- 1751-8431. ; :8, s. 483-490
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: To explore whether family routines, service usage, and stress levels in families of children with autism spectrum disorder differ as a function of regionality.Methods: Secondary analysis of data was undertaken from 535 surveys. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate differences between families living in densely populated (DP) areas and less densely populated (LDP) areas.Results: Families living in LDP areas were found to: (1) have reduced employment hours (a two-parent household: Exp (B) = 3.48, p < .001, a single-parent household: Exp (B) = 3.32, p = .011); (2) travel greater distance to access medical facilities (Exp (B) = 1.27, p = .006); and (3) report less severe stress levels (Exp (B) = 0.22, p = .014).Conclusions: There were no differences in family routines; however, flexible employment opportunities and travel distance to medical services need to be considered in families living in LDP areas.
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| 4. |
- Vaz, Sharmila, et al.
(författare)
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Is using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire in a community sample the optimal way to assess mental health functioning?
- 2016
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An important characteristic of a screening tool is its discriminant ability or the measure's accuracy to distinguish between those with and without mental health problems. The current study examined the inter-rater agreement and screening concordance of the parent and teacher versions of SDQ at scale, subscale and item-levels, with the view of identifying the items that have the most informant discrepancies; and determining whether the concordance between parent and teacher reports on some items has the potential to influence decision making. Cross-sectional data from parent and teacher reports of the mental health functioning of a community sample of 299 students with and without disabilities from 75 different primary schools in Perth, Western Australia were analysed. The study found that: a) Intraclass correlations between parent and teacher ratings of children's mental health using the SDQ at person level was fair on individual child level; b) The SDQ only demonstrated clinical utility when there was agreement between teacher and parent reports using the possible or 90% dichotomisation system; and c) Three individual items had positive likelihood ratio scores indicating clinical utility. Of note was the finding that the negative likelihood ratio or likelihood of disregarding the absence of a condition when both parents and teachers rate the item as absent was not significant. Taken together, these findings suggest that the SDQ is not optimised for use in community samples and that further psychometric evaluation of the SDQ in this context is clearly warranted.
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| 5. |
- McAuliffe, Tomomi, et al.
(författare)
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In-the-moment experiences of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: a comparison by household status and region of residence
- 2020
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 44:4, s. 558-572
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose:This study compared thein-the-momentexperiences among mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by their household status (i.e., single versus coupled) and region of residence(i.e., regional versus major city area).Methods:An experience sampling method was employed to collect data, and a total of 40 mothers usedan iOS device to record activity types andin-the-moment experiences for one week during school term. Mann–WhitneyUtest and multilevel analysis were conducted to compare the experiences of these mothers.Results:The analyses found the following results: 1) mothers spent most time in childcare and least timein self-care activities; 2) coupled mothers were more likely to feel supported; 3) coupled mothers wereless likely to feel supported in domestic tasks; 4) mothers from major city were more likely to feel chal-lenged in self-care activities; and 5) mothers from major city were more likely to feel supported in productivity tasks.Conclusion:Limited but significant differences between single and coupled mothers, as well as mothers from regional and major city areas, were found. Future research direction and service provisions were suggested.
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| 6. |
- McAuliffe, Tomomi, et al.
(författare)
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The experiences of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder : Managing family routines and mothers’ health and wellbeing
- 2019
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Ingår i: Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0045-0766 .- 1440-1630. ; 66:1, s. 68-76
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background/aim: Families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) use family routines to provide predictability and structure to support occupational engagement of their family members. Mothers assume the major role to orchestrate occupations in constructing family routines, which may impact their health and wellbeing. However, the experiences of mothers in managing family routines and their health and wellbeing have not been the main focus in previous research. Thus, this study explored the experiences of mothers of children with ASD in managing family routines and their perceptions of the impact of family routines on their health and wellbeing.Methods: An interpretive phenomenological approach was used. Twenty mothers of children with ASD, aged between 28 and 56 years, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were transcribed verbatim and each transcript was analysed.Results: Five themes that summarise mothers’ perceptions towards health and wellbeing when managing family routines emerged: (i) Keeping on track keeping healthy; (ii) My life is busy, because I do everything for everyone else; (iii) Keeping on track all the time is tiring or frustrating; (iv) Looking after my family by looking after myself; and (v) I am not perfect and it is OK.Conclusion: This study highlighted the substantial efforts required in constructing family routines that may be at the cost of mothers’ health and wellbeing. However, mothers may be able to cope with everyday demands in managing family routines by changing their perspectives. By integrating ‘me-time’ activities in family routines, mothers may be able to support their own health and wellbeing. Mothers’ values and needs are reflected in family routines; hence, thorough understanding of family routines may be a key to support mothers’ occupational engagement.
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| 7. |
- Parsons, Dave, et al.
(författare)
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A randomised controlled trial of an information communication technology delivered intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder living in regional Australia
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of autism and developmental disorders. - : Springer. - 0162-3257 .- 1573-3432. ; 49:2, s. 569-581
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This exploratory randomised controlled trial tested the effectiveness of a tablet-based information communication technology early intervention application to augment existing therapy with the aim of improving visual motor, imitation, language and social skills in young children with ASD who reside in regional areas. Fifty-nine participants were recruited and randomised to either a therapy-as-usual group or intervention group. With the exception of the expressive language subscale on the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, no significant between-group differences were recorded for visual motor, imitation, receptive language and social skills of participants between baseline and post-intervention. When all participants were pooled and measured over time, improvements were shown in receptive and pragmatic language and social skills; these gains were maintained, thus suggesting skill acquisition.
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| 8. |
- Sim, Angela, et al.
(författare)
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Factors associated with negative co-parenting experiences in families of a child with autism spectrum disorder
- 2017
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Ingår i: Developmental Neurorehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1751-8423 .- 1751-8431. ; 20:2, s. 83-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify key factors associated with negative co-parenting experiences in parents raising a child with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to families with one or more children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Parents of 142 children with autism spectrum disorder indicated that the diagnosis had a very negative impact on their co-parent relationship. A multivariate logistic regression model was run to analyze the association of these experiences with various demographic, family and community factors. Results: Three factors were associated with negative co-parenting relationships: (1) family stress due to the child’s diagnosis, (2) effects of the diagnosis on parents’ relationship with their other children and (3) distance travelled to the nearest medical facility. Conclusions: Findings highlight the need to further explore family dynamics, particularly the relationships between the co-parenting alliance, other family members and the extra-familial environment.
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| 9. |
- Sim, Angela, et al.
(författare)
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Viewpoints on what is important to maintain relationship satisfaction in couples raising a child with autism spectrum disorder
- 2019
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Ingår i: Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. - : Elsevier. - 1750-9467 .- 1878-0237. ; 65, s. 1-13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Despite the challenges associated with raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), many couples maintain satisfying relationships. However, it is not clear which factors couples prioritise as most important to this positive adaptation. Methods This study used Q-methodology to explore the viewpoints on factors most important to maintaining relationship satisfaction from the perspective of those experiencing it. Data from 43 caregivers raising a child with ASD were analysed using by-person varimax rotation factor analysis. Results Two key viewpoints were identified: 1) Building effective communication through openness, honesty and conflict resolution, and 2) Building a strong partnership by sharing parenting responsibilities. Conclusion Couples should be supported to strengthen communication processes and work in partnership to raise their child with ASD through family-centred interventions aimed at promoting relationship satisfaction.
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| 10. |
- Sim, Angela, et al.
(författare)
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“We are in this together” : Experiences of relationship satisfaction in couples raising a child with autism spectrum disorder
- 2019
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Ingår i: Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. - : Elsevier. - 1750-9467 .- 1878-0237. ; 58, s. 39-51
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Couple relationships play an integral role in family adjustment when a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet, it is unclear what factors contribute to the maintenance of relationship satisfaction in these couples.Method: Using phenomenology, data from eleven couple interviews were analysed to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of relationship satisfaction when raising a child with ASD.Results: The overall essence of “We are in this together” reflected the attitude that a strong partnership was beneficial in maintaining relationship satisfaction. This essence was captured in three main themes: 1) Shared beliefs, 2) Teamwork and 3) Shared experiences which closely paralleled the Walsh family resilience framework.Conclusions: Couples can be supported in these key areas to strengthen their relationship to serve as a source of resilience for families with a child with ASD.
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