Factors associated with negative co-parenting experiences in families of a child with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify key factors associated with negative co-parenting experiences in parents raising a child with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to families with one or more children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Parents of 142 children with autism spectrum disorder indicated that the diagnosis had a very negative impact on their co-parent relationship. A multivariate logistic regression model was run to analyze the association of these experiences with various demographic, family and community factors. Results: Three factors were associated with negative co-parenting relationships: (1) family stress due to the child’s diagnosis, (2) effects of the diagnosis on parents’ relationship with their other children and (3) distance travelled to the nearest medical facility. Conclusions: Findings highlight the need to further explore family dynamics, particularly the relationships between the co-parenting alliance, other family members and the extra-familial environment.

Keywords:

• ASD
• family stress
• parent alliance
• siblings
• travel distance

Acknowledgments

Aoife McNally, Kirsty Oehlers, Mandy Richards, Geoff Cole, Susan Peden, staff at Disabilities Services Commission, Caitlin Axford, Fiona Choi, Helen Weldergergish, Rachel Owens, Rex Parsons, Stephen Lawrie, Gal Rose, Tim Parkin and the AIM employment AAWA.

Declaration of interest

This study was funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS), formerly the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, with in-kind support of the Autism CRC, established and supported under the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centres Programme. The research was also conducted in collaboration with Disabilities Services Commission Western Australia (DSC). DSS had no active role in the design, implementation, data collection, analysis or interpretation of the study. DSC collaborated with the authors and assisted in data collection by in-kind contribution of its employee’s time in some aspects of the study. Writing of the report and the decision to submit this manuscript were solely the role and responsibility of the authors. However, approval to submit this study for publication was sought from CRC living with autism spectrum disorders, DSS and DSC. All researchers are independent from both DSS and DSC and take full responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the analyses.