Psychosocial adjustment in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidities

Abstract

BackgroundMothers raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience more stress than those raising typically developing children or children with other disorders. The stress experienced by mothers raising children with ASD comorbid with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability (ID) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has not been adequately studied. This study aimed to examine differences in psychological and social adjustment among mothers of children with ASD, ASD/ID, ASD/ADHD, ASD/ID/ADHD, and other disorders in Japan. MethodSix hundred and one mothers (pooled mean age, 44.77 years) parenting children with disorders participated in this study. Participants responded to a questionnaire consisting of the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) to capture psychological distress, the Subjective Happiness Scale to capture subjective well-being, and the Japanese version of the Lubben Social Networks Scale (LSNS-6) to capture social isolation. ResultsMothers of children with ASD had marginally higher K6 scores than did mothers of children with other disorders. Mothers of children with ASD/ID/ADHD had lower LSNS-6 scores than did mothers of children with ASD. Mothers raising children with ASD/ADHD and ASD/ID/ADHD were more likely to have clinical problems with psychological and social adjustment than were mothers of children with other disorders. ConclusionsMothers of children with ASD/ADHD or ASD/ID/ADHD may have significant problems with psychosocial adjustment. Such mothers may need support at the time of the child’s diagnosis. A support system for mothers of children with ASD is urgently required in Japan.