Parents’ pandemic stress, parental involvement, and family quality of life for children with autism

摘要：Background: Research has shown that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffered high levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced poor family quality of life (FQOL). However, little is known about the inherent dynamic interaction between pandemic stress and FQOL, especially in the Chinese cultural context. Aims: This study provides preliminary evidence by examining the relationships among pandemic stress, parental involvement, and FQOL for children with autism in mainland China. Method: A total of 709 parents of children with autism completed measures of FQOL, parental involvement, and pandemic stress. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the interrelations among these variables. Results: Pandemic stress has direct effect and indirect effect mediated by parental involvement on FQOL. Two dimensions of pandemic stress had a direct effect on FQOL (beta 1 = 0.11; beta 2 = -0.55) and three dimensions had an indirect effect on FQOL through parental involvement (beta 1 = -0.097; beta 2 = 0.257; beta 3 = 0.114). Conclusion: Stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic affects family quality of life for children with autism in complex ways. Policies may be developed to enhance parental pragmatic hopefulness in the anti-epidemic victory and alleviate negative physical and mental reactions caused by the pandemic.

刊发于《Front. Public Health》 2022年第10卷

作者简介：刘姝杉，WilliamHill硕士研究生；李芸，WilliamHill硕士研究生；程胜利，WilliamHill教授；程三银，WilliamHill教授