Physical Activity And Mental Health Of Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is demanding, and parents of children with ASD are speculated to have challenges in mental health, such as anxiety and depression. Regular physical activity (PA) participation, such as meeting the 150 minutes per week moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) guideline, is recommended for physical and mental health benefits; however, little is known about the PA levels in parents of children with ASD. PURPOSE: To examine the current PA levels and mental health status (i.e., anxiety and depression) among parents of children with ASD. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). We identified 139 parents of children with ASD (66.9% mothers; Mage = 41.19 ± 8.7) and 4470 parents of children with no disability (59.8% mothers; Mage = 38.82 ± 8.8). Their PA levels (meeting the 150 minutes per week MVPA guideline; frequency of light-to-moderate PA, vigorous PA, and strengthening PA), anxiety, and depression were analyzed. Weighted logistic and ordinal regression analyses were conducted on PA levels, anxiety, and depression between parents of children with ASD and parents of children with no disability, after controlling for age, sex, race, family income, and medication use for anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Parents of children with ASD were significantly less likely to meet the MVPA guideline compared to parents of children with no disability (50.7% vs. 58.8%; aOR = .729 p < .001). Meanwhile, parents of children with ASD had significantly lower odds in vigorous PA (aOR = .706, p < .001) and strengthening PA (aOR = .884, p < .001) but both groups were similar in light-to-moderate PA (aOR = 1.001, p > .05). Compared to parents of children with no disability, parents of children with ASD had two times and four times higher rates of experiencing daily anxiety and depression, respectively. Parents of children with ASD reported significantly higher odds of feelings of anxiety (aOR = 1.521, p < .001) and depression (aOR = 1.923, p = < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the lower levels of PA and higher risks of anxiety and depression in parents of children with ASD. It underscores the need to provide PA and mental health support for this parent population in the United States. Supported by Office of Special Education Program: H325H190001