Factors predicting depressive symptoms in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in eastern China

Abstract

Background: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a higher risk of depression than parents of typically developing children and those of children with other developmental disorders. Depression affects the well-being and quality of life of parents of children with ASD and has serious consequences for the long-term health outcomes of children with ASD. Therefore, this study explored the current status of depressive symptoms in parents of children with ASD in eastern China and further analyzed multiple aspects of the predictors of depressive symptoms.

Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents of children with ASD in the rehabilitation department of a large specialized hospital and 10 rehabilitation centers for children with special needs in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, Eastern China. A structured questionnaire that focused on child-related factors, parent-related factors, depressive symptoms, courtesy stigma, and social support was used to obtain data. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the independent predictors of depressive symptoms in parents of children with ASD.

Results: A total of 409 parents of children with ASD were recruited, of whom 18.8% had depressive symptoms. Parents of children with ASD who raised a child who spoke few to no words (odds ratio [OR]: 2.747, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.026-7.357), claimed a high economic burden (OR: 3.215, 95% CI: 1.234-8.379), reported no change or increased severity of ASD in their children (OR: 2.518, 95% CI: 1.108-5.720), and those with a higher courtesy stigma score (OR: 1.189, 95% CI: 1.093-1.294) were more likely to have depressive symptoms. Conversely, parents of children with ASD who were employed (OR: 0.427, 95% CI: 0.201-0.907), satisfied with their current marital status (OR: 0.429, 95% CI: 0.221-0.834), and those with a higher social support score (OR: 0.973, 95% CI: 0.950-0.996) were less likely to have depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: Depressive symptoms are common in parents of children with ASD in eastern China. Therefore, screening and intervention for depressive symptoms in parents of children with ASD is necessary, especially for those with high-risk factors.

Keywords: ASD; Children; China; Depressive symptoms; Parents; Predictors.