Mediating role of behavioral problems and family function in the relationship between core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and parenting stress

ZHAI Tianyu; YAN Wenjie; DU Yasong; LIU Wenwen; ZHANG Linna; LYU Tao; LI Gaizhi; YANG Caohua

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1156

PDF(902 KB)

Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (11) : 1275-1280. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1156

Mediating role of behavioral problems and family function in the relationship between core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and parenting stress

ZHAI Tianyu¹, YAN Wenjie¹, DU Yasong¹, LIU Wenwen², ZHANG Linna³, LYU Tao⁴, LI Gaizhi⁵, YANG Caohua⁶

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Objective To investigate the mediating roles of behavioral problems and family function in the relationship between core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and parenting stress, in order to provide insights from both the child and family perspectives to inform strategies for alleviating parenting stress. Methods From February 2012 to August 2018, a cross-sectional continuous study was conducted.A total of 300 children with ASD were assessed using the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).Parents were evaluated using the Family Assessment Device (FAD) and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). Results Emotional problems (95%CI: -0.057 6 to -0.017 9) and hyperactivity problems (95%CI: -0.052 9 to -0.019 0) from the SDQ exhibited parallel mediating effects on the relationship between ABC total scores and PSI-SF total scores.Role functioning from the FAD (95%CI: -0.030 6 to -0.000 1) demonstrated a simple mediating effect on the relationship between ABC total scores and PSI-SF total scores. Conclusions Emotional and hyperactivity problems in children with ASD play parallel mediating roles in the impact of ASD symptoms on parenting stress, while family role functioning serves as a simple mediator in this relationship.

Key words

autism spectrum disorder / behavioral problems / parenting stress / family function / mediating effect

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

ZHAI Tianyu, YAN Wenjie, DU Yasong, LIU Wenwen, ZHANG Linna, LYU Tao, LI Gaizhi, YANG Caohua. Mediating role of behavioral problems and family function in the relationship between core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and parenting stress[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(11): 1275-1280 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1156

References

[1] American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: [M].5th ed. Arlington VA:American Pcychiatric Association,2013.
[2] Saito A, Stickley A, Haraguchi H, et al.Association between autistic traits in preschool children and later emotional/behavioral outcomes[J].J Autism Dev Disord, 2017, 47(11): 3333-3346.
[3] Davis NO, Carter AS.Parenting stress in mothers and fathers of toddlers with autism spectrum disorders: Associations with child characteristics[J].Journal of Autism and Dev Disord, 2008, 38(7): 1278-1291.
[4] 程靖益,王可,杨亭,等.学龄前孤独症谱系障碍儿童家庭疾病负担全国多中心调查[J].教育生物学杂志, 2021, 9(4): 266-271,312.
Cheng JY, Wang K, Yang T, et al.National multi-center study on family disease burden of preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder[J].Journal of Bio-educational, 2021, 9(4): 266-271,312.(in Chinese)
[5] Clark E, Zhou Z, Du L.Autism in China: Progress and challenges in addressing the needs of children and families[J].International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, 2019, 7(2): 135-146.
[6] 刘懿诗.孤独症儿童家庭功能现状与社会工作介入策略研究[D].广州:华南理工大学,2019.
Liu YS.Family function research and intervention strategies of social work for autistic children[D].Guangzhou:South China University of Technology, 2019.(in Chinese)
[7] 殷青云,陈劲梅,罗学荣,等.孤独症常用量表的信度和效度检验[J].国际医药卫生导报,2011,17(12):1470-1475.
Yin QY, Chen JM, Luo XR, et al.Reliability and validity of Childhood Autism Rating Scale and Autism Behaviour Checklist[J].IMHGN,2011,17(12):1470-1475.(in Chinese)
[8] 寇建华,杜亚松,夏黎明.儿童长处和困难问卷(父母版)上海常模的信度和效度[J].上海精神医学,2005,47(1):25-28.
Kou JH, Du YS, Xia LM.Reliability and validity of "Children Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire" in Shanghai norm[J].Shanghai Archives of Psychiatry, 2005, 47(1):25-28.(in Chinese)
[9] 王雪云,李业平.中文版家庭功能评定量表的信度效度初步研究[J].科技视界,2016(5):121-122.
Wang XY, Li YP.Preliminary Study on reliability and validity of the Chinese Version of the Family Assessment Device[J].Science & Technology Vision,2016(5):121-122.(in Chinese)
[10] Yeh CH, Chen ML, Li W, et al.The Chinese version of the Parenting Stress Index: A psychometric study[J].Acta Paediatrica, 2001, 90(12): 1470-1477.
[11] Hayes AF.Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis regression based approach[J].J Educ Meas, 2014, 51(3): 335-337.
[12] Kim H, Kim JH, Yi JH, et al.Correlations between sleep problems, core symptoms, and behavioral problems in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J].Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2024, 33(5): 1539-1549.
[13] Oakley B, Loth E, Murphy DG.Autism and mood disorders[J].Int Rev Psychiatry, 2021, 33(3): 280-299.
[14] Lai MC, Kassee C, Besney R, et al.Prevalence of co-occurring mental health diagnoses in the autism population: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J].Lancet Psychiatry, 2019, 6(10): 819-829.
[15] Sinzig J, Bruning N, Morsch D, et al.Attention profiles in autistic children with and without comorbid hyperactivity and attention problems[J].Acta Neuropsychiatr, 2008, 20(4): 207-215.
[16] 吕桃,杨曹骅,杜亚松,等.孤独症谱系障碍患儿家庭功能特征及其影响因素的研究[J].教育生物学杂志, 2019, 7(3):4.
Lyu T, Yang CH, Du YS, et al.Characteristics and effect factors of family function about autism spectrum disorder children[J].Journal of Bio-educational, 2019, 7(3):4.(in Chinese)
[17] Moh TA, Magiati I.Factors associated with parental stress and satisfaction during the process of diagnosis of children with autism spectrum disorders[J].Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2012, 6(1): 293-303.
[18] Strauss K, Servadio M, Valeri G, et al.Association between child behavioural problems and parenting stress in autism spectrum disorders: The role of parenting self-efficacy[J].Int J Dev Disabil, 2024, 70(1): 49-58.
[19] 张金勇,于格.青少年调节聚焦对心理复原力的影响:家庭功能的中介作用[J].贵州师范学院学报,2021,37(9):48-54.
Zhang JY, Yu G.The influence of adjustment focus on psychological resilience of adolescents: The mediating role of family function[J].Journal of Guizhou Edual Inst, 2021,37(9):48-54.(in Chinese)
[20] 孔伟艳,李璐,兰花.完善康复服务体系构建家庭支持系统大力促进我国孤独症儿童康复[J].中国经贸导刊,2024,41(3):65-68.
Kong WY, Li L, Lan H.To improve the rehabilitation service system and construct the family support system to promote the rehabilitation of children with autism in China[J].China Economic &Trade Herald,2024,41(3):65-68.(in Chinese)