Multilevel approach to gender differences in adaptation in father-mother dyads parenting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

BackgroundMost studies of gender differences in the ASD literature present methodological limitations regarding the treatment of dyadic data. This work explored gender differences in the psychological adaptation of a sample of Spanish fathers and mothers of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using a multilevel modeling approach (MLM) that accounts for nested data. MethodQuestionnaires including different adaptation measures were completed by 120 father-mother dyads raising individuals with ASD. We designed a two-level model (parents nested in dyads) with three predictor variables at level 1 (parent gender, parent age, and perception of child’s behavior problems) and four predictor variables at level 2 (child age, family income, ASD severity, and time since diagnosis) to examine the influence of these variables on negative and positive psychological outcomes (stress, anxiety, depression, and psychological well-being). ResultsMothers experienced higher levels of stress and anxiety than fathers, even after controlling for interdependence and sociodemographic factors. ASD severity was a significant predictor of both progenitors’ stress and well-being, and family income was also related to psychological well-being, although no gender differences were observed in the way these variables are related to parental outcomes. ConclusionsProfessionals should offer parents support to adjust expectations according to their child’s ASD severity given its relationship to parental stress and well-being. Considering that mothers experience higher levels of stress and anxiety than fathers, clinicians should encourage maternal protective factors. Finally, governments should consider new policies aiming to support ASD families’ treatment expenses.