Marital quality and psychological adjustment among mothers of children with ASD: cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships

J Autism Dev Disord. 2011 Dec;41(12):1675-85. doi: 10.1007/s10803-011-1198-9.

Abstract

Using data drawn from a longitudinal study of families of children with ASD, the current study examined the impact of marital quality on three indicators of maternal psychological adjustment: depressed mood, parenting efficacy, and subjective well-being. Multiple regression analyses indicated marital quality to be a significant cross-sectional and longitudinal predictor of maternal adjustment. In the cross-sectional regressions, marital quality negatively predicted maternal depression and positively predicted parenting efficacy, and well-being, while in the longitudinal regressions, initial levels of marital quality negatively predicted maternal depressed mood and positively predicted well-being at follow-up. Longitudinal regression results also revealed that marital quality mediated the relationship between family SES and maternal well-being. Study limitations and implications are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / psychology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Marriage / psychology*
  • Mental Health
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Parenting / psychology
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Self Efficacy
  • Social Behavior
  • Social Support
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires