Self-assessed health in caregivers of persons with autism spectrum disorder: associations with depressive symptoms, positive cognitions, resourcefulness, and well-being.

PURPOSE: Caregiving for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can affect family caregivers' self-assessed health. The purpose of this study was to determine whether depressive symptoms, positive cognitions, resourcefulness, and well-being will differ significantly among those who rated their health as fair, good, or excellent. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of 109 ASD caregivers who were recruited from the Interactive ASD Network.
FINDINGS: Depression was significantly lower among those who rated their health as excellent than among those who rated their health as fair. Positive cognitions, resourcefulness, and well-being were significantly higher among those who rated their health as excellent than among those who rated their health as fair. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Interventions to enhance caregivers' positive cognitions, resourcefulness, and well-being are recommended.