Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) poses unique challenges that may impact parents' mental health and parenting experiences. The current study analyzed self-report data from 77 parents of youth with ASD. A serial multiple mediation model revealed that parenting stress (SIPA) and parental mental health (BAI and BDI-II) appears to…

Family-related stressors pose special challenges for adolescents of Mexican origin, given traditional cultural norms that compel youths to get involved with family problems despite their limited ability to effect change. The current study examines the prospective effects of coping strategies (i.e., active, distraction, avoidance, support-seeking,…

The purpose of the study was to explore patterns of parent involvement as perceived by teachers and identify correlates of these patterns. Parent involvement indicators and correlates were selected from a review of existing research. Participants included 34 teachers and 577 children in kindergarten through third grade. The vast majority of the…

Sixty self-rated depressed, behavioral-problem, and normal third- through fifth-grade children closely matched for sex, age, and socioeconomic status were assessed for number, quality, and impact of stressful life events in the past year. Results indicated that dysphoria-reporting children experienced more life events and higher qualitative index…

Comparison of 16 autistic children receiving psychotropic medication with 16 similar nonmedicated children and their parents found that discriminators of the parental decision to medicate or not included: family stress; the child's speaking ability; and irritable, driven, non-goal-directed child behavior. (DB)

Parents (N=67) and siblings (N=71) of children with and without learning disabilities (LD) and/or behavior problems were interviewed. The primary indicator of the impact of a child with LD on siblings and parents was whether the child also had behavior problems. Results also indicated that LD children and siblings differed in perceptions of…

Examined the circumstances surrounding child maltreatment in 328 families. Results showed that physical abuse tended to be associated with child behaviors; emotional cruelty was associated with adult conflict that enlarged to involve the child; and neglect was characterized by failure of parents to assume parental responsibilities. (JAC)

Used data from a longitudinal study of 16-year-old girls to test predictions about psychosocial factors in the onset of menarche. Found that family conflict and father's absence in childhood predicted an earlier age of menarche, and these factors in combination with weight showed some evidence of an additive influence on menarche. (Author/GLR)

The relationship between family life or stress events and rates of maternal reports of child behavior and child-rearing problems was studied in a birth cohort of 1,265 New Zealand preschool-aged children. Journal Availability: See EC 152 486. (Author/SEW)

Studied 82 maltreating and normative families to determine whether reported maltreated children and their siblings differ in terms of maltreatment and/or developmental anomalies. Findings indicated reported abused children and their siblings were similar in stressful life experiences, quality of home environment, reported behavior problems, and…

Behavior problems were examined in 225 three-year-old children with or without developmental delays. Staff-completed Bayley Behavioral Scales and parent-completed Child Behavior Checklists (CBCLs) showed children with delays were 3 to 4 times as likely to have a score within the CBCL clinical range. Behavior problems caused more parent stress than…

To understand the origins of demonstrated tracking deficits possessed by parents of problem children, a study examined in detail possible differences between a sample of parents with behavior-problem children and a sample of parents with "normal" children. Subjects were 48 mothers who had children between the ages of 4 and 10. While…

Examines factors affecting parental stress and caregiving demands and the use of support services. Data obtained from parents of children (N=231) with mental retardation or chronic illness indicate that coping with significant behavior problems was more important than disability type in determining most forms of parental stress and mental health…

Examines the mechanisms through which children with externalizing behaviors impact parents' feelings of stress and perceptions of parenting. Results, based on parent and teacher reports of 75 first-grade children, indicate that spousal support was the most important resource variable. Parents highly agreed on perceived support in childbearing.…

Describes the common symptoms of stress exhibited by young children including: (1) social or behavioral; (2) physical; (3) emotional; (4) cognitive; and (5) language. Addresses causes of stress, which typically represent change, fear, or loss in children. Offers strategies for easing children's stress including muscle relaxation, deep breathing,…