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San Francisco \u2013 According to a recent survey conducted over 18 months, approximately 50% of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had elevated levels of depressive symptoms, while rates for mothers with neurotypical children were much lower (6% to 13.6%), according to The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) researchers in a new study published on August 26 in \u201cFamily Process\u201d.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, while previous research has suggested that having a depressed parent increases the risk of children developing mental health and behavioural issues, this study found the opposite.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe discovered that mothers\u2019 higher levels of depression did not predict increases in children\u2019s behaviour problems over time, even in families with a child with autism who are under a lot of stress,\u201d said Danielle Roubinov, assistant professor in the university\u2019s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences. \u201cThat was both surprising and welcome news.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a parent of a child with special needs is inherently difficult every day,\u201d said Professor Elissa Epel, also of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science. \u201cIt is a classic example of chronic stress, which is why we have focused on care-giving mothers in our studies on the effects of stress on health.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe already know from this sample that mothers who have more depression have signs of faster biological ageing, such as lower levels of the anti-ageing hormone klotho and older immune cells,\u201d Epel added. \u201cWe wanted to know how their depression affected their child and vice versa.\u201d<\/p>\n
A one-way street<\/strong><\/p>\n Regardless of ASD status, the researchers discovered that child behaviour problems predicted higher levels of maternal depression in the future. <\/p>\n However, they did not observe an inverse effect; prior maternal depression did not predict later child behaviour problems.<\/p>\n \u201cThe finding that maternal depression does not worsen child symptoms is especially important for mothers of children with ASD because it helps alleviate the guilt that many mothers feel about their children\u2019s diagnosis and behaviour problems,\u201d Roubinov said. <\/p>\n \u201cWe hope that these findings will reassure mothers that it\u2019s normal to experience some depression while caring for a child and that their depression isn\u2019t exacerbating their child\u2019s behavioural issues.\u201d<\/p>\n Previous research by the team showed that self-blame and guilt were common among parents of ASD children and predicted worsening depression and lower life satisfaction over time.<\/p>\n In the current study, researchers measured maternal depression and behavioural problems in 86 mother-child dyads over the course of 18 months. <\/p>\n Half of the mothers had autistic children, while the other half had neurotypical children. <\/p>\n The children in the study ranged in age from 2 to 16, with the majority (75%) being primary school age or younger.<\/p>\n The Inventory of Depressive Symptoms, a self-report scale completed by mothers, was used to assess maternal depression. <\/p>\n The Child\u2019s Challenging Behaviour Scale, which focuses on externalising behaviours such as tantrums, aggression, and defiance, was used to assess the child\u2019s behaviour. <\/p>\n Future research should look into the links between maternal depression and children\u2019s internalising symptoms, according to the researchers (for example, withdrawal, anxiety, emotional reactivity).<\/p>\n Few studies on maternal depression, child behaviour in the ASD context<\/strong><\/p>\n Previous research has found bidirectional links between maternal depression and child behaviour problems. However, few studies have looked into these relationships in autistic families.<\/p>\n According to Roubinov, families with autism face more marital conflict, lower relationship satisfaction, and other challenges.<\/p>\n \u201cA stressful family environment may spill over on to family members and change the ways mothers and children relate to one another,\u201d she explained. \u201cWe wanted to see if the relationship between maternal and child mental health differed in a high-stress family system, such as when a child has autism.\u201d<\/p>\n Although the study acknowledged that families with autistic children experience high levels of stress, the authors were careful to point out that stress is not their only distinguishing feature.<\/p>\n \u201cMany mothers of autistic children report high levels of emotional closeness and positive interactions with their children,\u201d said Roubinov. \u201cThese are valuable experiences on which supportive programmes can build.\u201d<\/p>\n Following the study, the researchers offered mindfulness classes to all parents to help them cope with the stress of parenting. <\/p>\n \u201cThe parents were grateful for the opportunity to share common challenges and learn inner coping strategies,\u201d Epel said. <\/p>\n \u201cMany studies have shown that mindfulness training can help with parenting stress, and we also discovered that our parents\u2019 mental health improved.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite a more difficult life situation, it is critical to experience and notice positive emotions and joy, according to Epel.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven the effects of chronic stress on health and mood, care-giving parents require extraordinary emotional support in addition to their child\u2019s special services,\u201d she said. \u201cIt is just as important to support parents\u2019 mental health as it is to support children\u2019s mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n She believes that physicians should be on the lookout for parental distress and be prepared to offer resources to parents, particularly parents of special needs children. <\/p>\n