Child Health Nurs Res.  2018 Jul;24(3):337-344. 10.4094/chnr.2018.24.3.337.

Life Transition Process Effects on Depressive Symptoms in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Hong SW
• Kim J
• Lee AR
• Choi JS

• KMID: 2417737
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4094/chnr.2018.24.3.337

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to examine the association between each phase of the Life Transition Process (LTP) and depressive symptoms among parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
METHODS
Using a cross-sectional study design, data pertaining to LTP and depressive symptoms were collected from 285 parents of children with ASD (101 fathers and 184 mothers). Participants were recruited through the Autism Society of Korea and a counseling center for families of children with ASD.
RESULTS
Using a cut-off point of 5 or higher on the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form, more than half of the parents (53.4%) were deemed depressed; these parents experienced moderate (27.4%) to severe (11.6%) levels of depressive symptoms. A hierarchical multiple regression using the socio-demographic characteristics of children and parents and each phase of the LTP as predictors, found that lower income (β=-.14, p=.007) and greater scores for the wandering phase (β=.59, p < .001) were significant predictors of greater levels of depressive symptoms.
CONCLUSION
These findings confirm the association between LTP and depressive symptoms for parents of children with ASD, who were found to have a greater risk of depressive symptoms during wandering phase.

Keyword

Autism spectrum disorder; Depression; Parent; Life

MeSH Terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder*
Autistic Disorder*
Child*
Counseling
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression*
Fathers
Humans
Korea
Parents*