Stresses and coping strategies of Chinese families with children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Data from 368 families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities in the People's Republic of China were gathered to understand the stresses that families experience and the coping strategies they employ. Chinese families of children with developmental disabilities perceived high levels of stress related to pessimism, child characteristics, and parent and family problems. Regarding coping strategies, acceptance, active coping, positive reinterpretation and growth, suppression of competing activities, and planning were the most frequently employed coping strategies. Parents of children with autism experienced more stress and used planning as a coping strategy to a greater degree than parents of children with other developmental disabilities. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.