Parenting stress and family quality of life among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in the early post-diagnosis stage: The mediating role of parenting self-efficacy.

AIMS: To examine the mediating role of parenting self-efficacy in the association between parenting stress and family quality of life (FQOL) among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the early post-diagnosis stage.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 220 parents of children with ASD was recruited in a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China from September 2022 to August 2023. Participants completed the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale, the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, and the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale. Mediation was tested using Hayes' PROCESS macro.

RESULTS

The total FQOL score was 85.88 ± 18.98. Among FQOL domains, satisfaction was highest for family interaction and lowest for disability-related support. After controlling for covariates, parenting stress demonstrated a significant direct effect on FQOL (β = -0.173, P < 0.05) and a significant indirect effect through parenting self-efficacy (β = -0.080, 95% CI = [-0.154, -0.026]). The indirect effect accounted for 31.5% of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS

FQOL among parents of children with ASD in the early post-diagnosis stage was at a moderate level. Parenting self-efficacy partially mediated the association between parenting stress and FQOL. Interventions targeting both parenting stress and parenting self-efficacy might improve FQOL in this population.

IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: Pediatric nurses and community providers should address both parenting stress and parenting self-efficacy when supporting families of children newly diagnosed with ASD. Parental needs should be assessed alongside child-focused care, and timely psychoeducation and referrals to parenting programs and social services should be provided.