Abstract
Parents to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience increased levels of stress compared to other parents. However, it has been difficult to clarify how this parental stress affects the quality of parent partnership, and how stress and partnership quality predict each other longitudinally. Stress and perceived partnership quality of 160 parents to children with ASD who started therapy in an autism therapy center were surveyed at three measurement points. To find out about within-person effects, a random intercept cross-lagged panel model was used. The results showed that a decrease in stress level over the course of therapy led to a decrease in partnership quality. The theory of the parenting alliance can be used to explain these results: coping with demands in parenthood during stressful times seems to tie parents together and strengthen their relationship. Implications for therapeutic practice, such as the use of marriage and family counselors to support the parents’ partnership during their child's autism therapy are presented.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
