International Meeting for Autism Research: Stress and Age: A Comparison of Asian American and Non-Asian American Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities Including Autism

Stress and Age: A Comparison of Asian American and Non-Asian American Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities Including Autism

Saturday, May 22, 2010
Franklin Hall B Level 4 (Philadelphia Marriott Downtown)
8:00 AM
W. Huang , Regional Center of the East Bay, San Leandro, CA
D. DeLambo , Department of Rehabilitation and Counseling, University of Wisconsin at Stout, Menomonie, WI
W. Chung , Counseling Psychology Department, Eastern University, St. Davids, PA
D. Homa , Department of Rehabilitation and Counseling, University of Wisconsin at Stout, Menomonie, WI
Background: Little is known about ethnic differences in stress experienced by parents of children with autism.
Objectives:   This study examined parental stress differences between Asian American and non-Asian American parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) including autism. 

Methods:   Participants (N=48) were administered the Parental Stress Index and a demographic information survey. 

Results:   Both groups reported high stress levels.  However, Asian American parents experienced a significantly higher level of stress that was related to children’s characteristics of disability than their non-Asian counterparts.  Results also indicate that while the age of children with DD was negatively correlated with parental stress for non-Asian American parents, the age of parents was negatively correlated with parental stress for Asian American parents. 

Conclusions: Implications of the findings for social service professionals are discussed.

See more of: Epidemiology
See more of: Clinical & Genetic Studies