The relationship between behaviours exhibited by children with autism and maternal stress

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between behaviours exhibited by children with pervasive developmental disorders, particularly autism, and maternal stress levels. Participants consisted of 60 mothers who had a child diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder by an independent practitioner using DSM‐IV criteria. Children were between 2 and 7 years of age. Mothers completed the following self‐report measures: the Parenting Stress Index (short‐form), the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, AAMR Adaptive Behavior Scales and a demographic questionnaire. Two‐thirds of the participants in the sample evidenced stress scores that were significantly elevated. Regression analyses revealed that child maladaptive behaviour and child adaptive behaviour accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in maternal stress. Methodological issues and considerations for future research are discussed.