Parent's Reaction to Diagnosis as it Relates to Parental Stress, Family Coping and Child's Educational Progress in Children Diagnosed with Autism

The current study explored the relationship between parent's resolution status with regard to receiving a diagnosis of autism for one's child and the following three factors: parental stress levels, family functioning and child's progress. This study's hypotheses were as follows: parental resolution will have a negative relationship with parental stress levels, in families where at least one parent is resolved, families will demonstrate a greater ability to cope when compared to families in which neither parent is resolved and parental resolution will have a positive relationship with the child's progress in school. A total of 20 primary caregivers (14 mothers, 4 fathers, 2 grandmothers) completed the Reaction to Diagnosis Interview (RDI), the Parenting Stress Index (PSI), and the Family Crisis Personal Orientation Evaluation Scale (F-COPES) and a Family Demographics Questionnaire. Of the participants, 50% (n=10) were classified as Resolved and 50% (n=10) were classified as Unresolved. This study's findings provided further support for the relationship between parental resolution and adaptive strategies for coping with familial stress, particularly acquiring social support t(18) = 2.16, p =.045, d=.96 and cognitive reframing t(18) = 2.14, p .046. d=.95. Parents who were Resolved regarding their child's diagnosis were at greater risk for stress levels in the clinical range t(18) = 2.17, p = .043, d=.97. This finding implies the need for interventions aimed at reducing parental stress amongst parents of children with ASDs- regardless of resolution status. This study did not find a relationship between parental resolution and the child's progress. A discussion of the study's limitations and considerations for future research may offer avenues of continued exploration.