The relationships of autistic child characteristics, metacognitive beliefs, and autistic traits with affiliate stigma among parents of children with autism spectrum conditions: A moderated mediation study

Abstract

BackgroundCaregivers of children with autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) are typically affected by autism-related stigma, which is internalized to form affiliate stigma. Limited studies have explored the factors potentially associated with affiliate stigma among parents of children with ASC. The present study examined the relationships among autistic child characteristics, parental autistic traits, parental metacognitive beliefs, and parental affiliate stigma. MethodWe recruited 134 parents of children with ASC in a cross-sectional study. We assessed autistic child characteristics, parental autistic traits, parental metacognitive beliefs, and parental affiliate stigma by using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Metacognition Questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30), and the Affiliate Stigma Scale (ASS). Path analysis was performed to examine the relationships between autistic child characteristics, parental autistic traits, parental metacognitive beliefs, and parental affiliate stigma. ResultsThere were correlations among autistic child characteristics, parental metacognitive beliefs, and parental affiliate stigma. Parental metacognitive beliefs mediated the relationship between autistic child characteristics and parental affiliate stigma, whereas parental autistic traits were not a moderating factor. ConclusionsThis study revealed the factors potentially associated with the affiliate stigma of parents of children with ASC. The findings highlight the importance of considering parental metacognitive beliefs when assessing and managing parental affiliate stigma.