ERIC Number: EJ1473841
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jun
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Psychosocial Factors Associated with the Trajectories of Interparental Conflict for Australian Fathers of Autistic Children: A Longitudinal Study across 10 Years of Child Development
Monique Seymour1,2; Grace McMahon2,3; Ali Fogarty1,2,4; Bridget O'Connor5; Mark Feinberg6; Rob Hock7; Rebecca Giallo1,2
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v29 n6 p1554-1568 2025
Limited research exists on fathers' experiences of interparental conflict (IPC) in families with autistic children. We aimed to identify: (1) the extent to which these fathers report IPC across 10 years of child development (4-14 years) and how this compares to fathers of non-autistic children; (2) distinct trajectories of IPC for fathers of autistic children and (3) factors associated with trajectories of IPC among fathers of autistic children. This is a retrospective study using a national dataset. Participants were 281 fathers of autistic children and 7046 fathers of non-autistic children. Although small effect sizes, fathers of autistic children, on average, reported significantly higher IPC when their child was 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 10-12 years of age, compared to fathers of non-autistic children. For fathers of autistic children, longitudinal latent class analysis revealed three profiles reflecting 'low and stable', 'moderate and stable' and 'persistently elevated' levels of IPC over time. Regression analysis revealed a range of predictors (e.g. co-parenting support, father age) for fathers of autistic children experiencing 'moderate and stable' and 'persistently elevated' IPC as compared to fathers who experienced low levels of IPC. There is a significant portion of fathers of autistic children who experience ongoing and heightened IPC, highlighting the need for targeted support.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Fathers, Conflict, Interpersonal Relationship, Parents, Children, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Early Adolescents, Child Rearing
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development (SEED), School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Australia; 2Intergenerational Health, Population Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia; 3Mental Health Department, Royal Children’s Hospital, Australia; 4Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Australia; 5Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia; 6The Pennsylvania State University, USA; 7College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, USA