“Just one additional
hour of respite care per week was related to an increase in marital quality”
Parents of children with neurodevelopmental conditions face challenges that place them at an elevated risk for
distress and negative psychological outcomes. For example, the demands placed on parents
caring for a child with autism contribute to a higher overall incidence of
parental stress which can adversely affect family functioning and marital
relationships. Research suggests that respite care can be an appropriate and
effective intervention to potentially reduce stress and improve marital
quality.
For example, Harper et al.
obtained survey data regarding daily responsibilities, marital quality, and the
amount of respite care received from 101 mother and fathers who were together
raising at least one child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents
indicated that approximately 64 percent of their children spent time with a
respite care provider, including grandparents, babysitters, community agencies,
and extended family members. The researchers found that the number of hours of
respite care was positively related to improved marital quality for both
husbands and wives and that a 1 hour increase in weekly respite care was
associated with an improvement in marital quality. This relationship was
significantly mediated by perceived daily stresses and uplifts (qualities that
led to better relationships) in both husbands and wives. More respite care was
associated with increased uplifts and reduced stress; increased uplifts were
associated with improved marital quality; and more stress was associated with
reduced marital quality. The number of children in the family was associated
with greater stress and reduced relational quality and daily uplifts.
The study’s
findings offer hope to couples parenting a child with ASD
and have important implications for professionals who work
with families caring for a special needs child.
Respite care should be a critical component in
a comprehensive family support plan because even a small increase in
the number of hours of respite care has the potential to
significantly improve marital quality. Counselors, therapists, psychologists,
physicians, school administrators, special education teachers, social workers,
and family advocates need to be aware of the respite care options
available and be unified in their approach to informing and helping
parents access these services. As the researchers conclude,
“A coordinated approach to helping parents obtain and navigate
ongoing respite care is long overdue.”
Harper, A., Dyches, T.
T., Harper, J., Roper, S. O., & South, M. (2013).
Respite care, marital quality, and stress in parents of children with
autism spectrum disorders. Journal
of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1812-0
Lee A. Wilkinson, PhD, is author of the award-winning books, A
Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Asperger Syndrome
in Schools and Overcoming Anxiety and Depression on the Autism Spectrum: A Self-Help Guide Using CBT. He is also
editor of a text in the APA School Psychology Book Series, Autism
Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Evidence-Based Assessment and
Intervention in Schools. His latest book is A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Schools (2nd Edition).
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