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A Stress Model for Couples Parenting Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Introduction of a Mindfulness Intervention
Author(s) -
Bluth Karen,
Roberson Patricia N. E.,
Billen Rhett M.,
Sams Juli M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of family theory and review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.454
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1756-2589
pISSN - 1756-2570
DOI - 10.1111/jftr.12015
Subject(s) - stressor , mindfulness , psychology , autism , intervention (counseling) , autism spectrum disorder , developmental psychology , affect (linguistics) , population , clinical psychology , stress (linguistics) , medicine , psychiatry , environmental health , communication , linguistics , philosophy
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders ( ASD ) are at an increased risk for acute and chronic stress compared to parents of children with other developmental disabilities and parents of children without disabilities. It is plausible that the stressors of having a child with ASD affect the couple relationship; however, few researchers have focused on this dynamic within these families. In this article, we seek to develop a model for how stress operates in families with children with ASD . In developing this new stress model, we describe the characteristics of ASD , discuss stressors that are pronounced in families of children with ASD as supported by the literature, and highlight the limitations of Perry's (2004) model in application to this population. Our expanded stress model includes the addition of parenting couple resources and parenting couple outcomes. Finally, we demonstrate how to apply the model using a mindfulness intervention to promote positive outcomes and strengthen the couple relationship .