Risk and protective factors associated with maternal mental health in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Background: Mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience lower maternal mental health outcomes than mothers of children from other populations, including children with intellectual and developmental disorders.

Objectives: This study explored risk factors associated with maternal mental health. Several factors including maternal resilience, social support, coping, optimism and family functioning acted as protective factors between child behavioural and emotional problems and maternal mental health.

Methods: Mothers of 70 children completed a cross-sectional online survey. Twenty-two children were diagnosed with ASD, 16 children were diagnosed with Dyslexia (DYS) and 32 children had no special educational needs diagnosis (NO SEND).

Results: Mothers of children with ASD demonstrated greater maternal mental health problems compared to mothers of children with DYS and NO SEND. Socioeconomic status (SES), child diagnosis, child gender, and child behavioural and emotional problems were significant risk factors associated with reduced maternal mental health. Maternal resilience, family functioning, and practical coping served as protective factors, moderating the relationship between child behavioural and emotional problems and maternal mental health. There is little evidence to suggest social support, optimism, and wishful thinking were protective factors in this relationship between child behavioural and emotional problems and maternal mental health.

Implications: There is a need to support mothers of children with ASD through interventions to promote and increase their mental health.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Behavioural and Emotional Problems; Maternal Mental Health; Mothers; Resilience.