Songtian Zeng1, Xiaoyi Hu2, Hongxia Zhao3, Angela K Stone-MacDonald4. 1. University of Massachusetts Boston, United States. Electronic address: songtian.zeng@umb.edu. 2. Beijing Normal University, China. Electronic address: huxiaoyi@bnu.edu.cn. 3. New Mexico State University, Carlsbad, United States. Electronic address: hzhao@nmsu.edu. 4. University of Massachusetts Boston, United States. Electronic address: angela.stone@umb.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Research has shown that support for families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States has led to reduce parental stress. To better understand the situation in China, it is crucial to evaluate the current status of family support and provide clear evidence of the impact of family support on positive family outcomes. AIMS: This study aims to provide initial evidence to examine these interrelations among family support, parental stress, and family quality of life in mainland China. METHOD: A total of 226 parents of children with ASD completed two questionnaires (Beach Center Family Quality of Life (FQOL) Scale and the Family Support Scale for Chinese Children with ASD) and a demographic family information form. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the interrelation among parental stress, family support, and FQOL. RESULTS: Parents perceived a moderate to low level of family support and FQOL and high level of parental stress. Family support had a direct positive effect on FQOL (β = .54) and an indirect effect on FQOL through parental stress (β = .06). CONCLUSION: Resources should be devoted to establishing a family support system that promotes FQOL and buffers parental stress for families of children with ASD.
BACKGROUND: Research has shown that support for families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States has led to reduce parental stress. To better understand the situation in China, it is crucial to evaluate the current status of family support and provide clear evidence of the impact of family support on positive family outcomes. AIMS: This study aims to provide initial evidence to examine these interrelations among family support, parental stress, and family quality of life in mainland China. METHOD: A total of 226 parents of children with ASD completed two questionnaires (Beach Center Family Quality of Life (FQOL) Scale and the Family Support Scale for Chinese Children with ASD) and a demographic family information form. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the interrelation among parental stress, family support, and FQOL. RESULTS: Parents perceived a moderate to low level of family support and FQOL and high level of parental stress. Family support had a direct positive effect on FQOL (β = .54) and an indirect effect on FQOL through parental stress (β = .06). CONCLUSION: Resources should be devoted to establishing a family support system that promotes FQOL and buffers parental stress for families of children with ASD.
Authors: Małgorzata Sekułowicz; Piotr Kwiatkowski; Iris Manor-Binyamini; Krystyna Boroń-Krupińska; Błażej Cieślik Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-21 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Anna Balcells-Balcells; Joana M Mas; Natasha Baqués; Cecilia Simón; Simón García-Ventura Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-25 Impact factor: 3.390