The Associated Factors of Parenting Stress Among Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders in Lianyungang, Eastern China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Parenting stress impairs both caregivers' health and children's long-term well-being. This study aimed to assess parenting stress among caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and analyze its associated factors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lianyungang, eastern China. The participants were caregivers of children aged 2-14 years. The Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF) was used to evaluate parenting stress. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

The average score of parenting stress was 44.40 ± 12.22. Caregivers whose children were older than 6 years (B = 2.376, 95% CI: 0.424-4.329, p < 0.05), exhibited stereotyped behaviors (B = 4.207, 95% CI: 1.504-6.909, p < 0.01), and had mealtime behavior problems (B = 0.236, 95% CI: 0.139-0.333, p < 0.001) had higher levels of parenting stress. In addition, caregivers who were not employed (B = 3.182, 95% CI: 0.586-5.779, p < 0.05) and those with high public stigma (B = 0.534, 95% CI: 0.389-0.678, p < 0.001) had higher levels of parenting stress. However, female caregivers (B = -3.580, 95% CI: -6.195--0.964, p < 0.01) and caregivers with good family function (B = -0.383, 95% CI: -0.760--0.006, p < 0.05) and social support (B = -1.228, 95% CI: -1.734--0.723, p < 0.001) had lower levels of parenting stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Support to improve family function and social support, as well as reduce public stigma may help to alleviate parenting stress in caregivers of children with ASD.