The relationship between behaviours exhibited by children with autism and maternal stress

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Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between behaviours exhibited by children with pervasive developmental disorders, particularly autism, and maternal stress levels. Participants consisted of 60 mothers who had a child diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder by an independent practitioner using DSM‐IV criteria. Children were between 2 and 7 years of age. Mothers completed the following self‐report measures: the Parenting Stress Index (short‐form), the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, AAMR Adaptive Behavior Scales and a demographic questionnaire. Two‐thirds of the participants in the sample evidenced stress scores that were significantly elevated. Regression analyses revealed that child maladaptive behaviour and child adaptive behaviour accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in maternal stress. Methodological issues and considerations for future research are discussed.

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