Child Behavior Problems and Parenting Stress in Underserved Families of Children with ASD: Investigation of Family Resources and Parenting Self-Efficacy
- Resource Type
- Journal Articles
Reports - Research
- Authors
- Stephenson, Kevin G. (ORCID 0000-0002-5196-9407); Fenning, Rachel M.; Macklin, Eric A.; Lu, Frances; Norris, Megan; Steinberg-Epstein, Robin; Butter, Eric M.
- Source
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Oct 2023 53(10):3787-3798.
- Subject
- Behavior Problems
Child Behavior
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Child Rearing
Self Efficacy
Stress Variables
Resources
Disadvantaged Youth
Children
Early Adolescents
Intellectual Disability
Parenting Skills
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0162-3257
1573-3432
Behavior problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may exacerbate parenting stress. Parenting self-efficacy and family resources may influence this association. We examined cross-sectional statistical mediation effects of parenting self-efficacy on the relationship between child behavior problems and parenting stress and hypothesized that family-level resources moderated this indirect effect. Participants included 132 underserved (Medicaid-eligible) children with ASD (ages 3-13) with racial/ethnic diversity; many (63%) had intellectual disability. Greater externalizing problems were linked with lower parenting self-efficacy, which in turn was associated with increased parenting stress. A larger mediation effect was observed for families with fewer resources. A plausible alternative model (parenting stress mediating parenting self-efficacy) exhibited poorer fit. Implications for family supports and benefits of longitudinal follow-up are discussed.