Autism Spectrum Disorder and Parental Depression

Abstract

Studies exploring associations between children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and depression in parents are limited. This study compares healthcare utilization, depression treatment costs, and risk factors, in parents of children with and without ASD. Using a matched case-control, individuals aged 27 to 64 with continuous enrollment from 2017–2019 and a child diagnosed with ASD were selected from nationally representative administrative claims data. Individuals were randomly matched 1:3 to a non-ASD group based on the child's age, gender, and family characteristics. Statistical models were used to evaluate the association between ASD in children, depression in their respective parents, and resulting healthcare utilization and costs incurred by parents. The study consisted of 23,316 families, out of which 5,779 had children with ASD, and 17,337 had children without ASD. Having a child with ASD was a predictor of depression in parents (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.73 – 2.10). Mothers of children with ASD had a higher risk of having depression (OR 4.0, 95% CI 2.62 – 6.12). Parents having multiple ASD children were also at higher risk of depression (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.18 – 2.13). The sex and age of the child were not associated with parental depression. While family-level income and education attainment were not associated, urbanicity (rural) had an association with depression. Parents with ASD children are at a higher risk of depression. Findings suggest that parents of children with ASD may benefit from depression screening at the onset of ASD diagnosis in their children.