Emotional availability in the mother-child relationship for families of young children with autism spectrum disorder in Australia: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundIn families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) the mother-child relationship can be affected by many factors; however, the impacts of maternal broad autism phenotype (BAP) and attachment styles are unknown. This study investigated predictors of emotional availability in the mother-child relationship in families of children with ASD. MethodsMothers (N = 231) of children with ASD living in Australia completed questionnaires assessing emotional availability in the parent-child relationship (mutual attunement, child involvement, affect quality) and mothers’ BAP, mental health, adult attachment style and parenting experiences. Hierarchical multiple regressions and a mediation analysis were conducted. ResultsParent-reported positive parenting experiences was the greatest predictor of mutual attunement, child involvement and affect quality in the parent-child relationship. Maternal stress and anxiety predicted poorer mutual attunement, stress and depressive symptoms predicted less child involvement and anxiety predicted worse affect quality. Negative parenting experiences, maternal anxiety and stress mediated the relationship between BAP and mutual attunement. ConclusionInterventions combining mental health and parenting support for mothers of children with ASD to bolster emotional availability within the mother-child relationship may be warranted.