Parents of children with ASD consistently report poorer psychological well-being in comparison to parents of children with other developmental disorders such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, cerebral palsy, and undifferentiated developmental disability (Abbeduto et al., 2004; Blacher & McIntyre, 2006; Eisenhower, Baker, & Blacher, 2005). Less is known, however, regarding the physical health of mothers of individuals with ASD.
Objectives:
The goal of the present study was to examine the daily health symptoms of mothers of adolescent and adult children with ASD. Health symptoms of mothers of a son or daughter with ASD were compared to a nationally representative sample of mothers of similarly-aged children without disabilities as well as to a sample of mothers of adolescents and adults with fragile X syndrome (FXS). Specifically, we compared the three groups of mothers on daily symptoms including pain, dizziness, menstrual-related symptoms, and mood.
Methods:
Participants were drawn from three longitudinal datasets: (1) Adolescents and Adults with Autism (n = 96), (2) the study on Family Adaptation to FXS (n = 112) and (3) the National Survey of Midlife in the US (n = 230). One component of each of these studies was a Daily Diary; respondents were interviewed by telephone each evening for 8 consecutive days. The daily telephone interview included questions about daily experiences in the previous 24 hours. Daily health symptoms were measured using an adapted version of Larsen and Kasimatis’ (1991) symptoms checklist. The following symptoms were included in the present analysis: headache, backache, muscle soreness, fatigue, joint pain, muscle weakness, dizziness, menstrual-related symptoms, and hot flashes. Positive and negative emotions were measured using a shortened version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988).
Results:
Both mothers of a son or daughter with ASD and mothers of a son or daughter with FXS reported a higher proportion of days with headaches, backaches, muscle soreness, fatigue, and hot flashes than mothers of children without disabilities. Additionally, mothers of a son or daughter with ASD indicated more days with joint pain, muscle weakness, and menstrual-related symptoms than mothers in either the FXS group or the non-caregiving comparison group. Findings also indicated that mothers of adolescents and adults with ASD reported higher levels of negative affect and lower levels of positive affect than mothers of adolescents and adults with FXS or mothers of similarly-aged children without disabilities.
Conclusions:
The present study demonstrated that mothers of adolescent and adult children with disabilities experience a greater proportion of days with health symptoms compared to mothers of similarly-aged children without disabilities. Mothers of a son or daughter with ASD appear to be at particular risk for health problems, highlighting a need for comprehensive services and supports for families across the lifecourse.
See more of: Medical Co-Morbid Conditions
See more of: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Phenotype