According to a recent survey conducted by UCSF researchers over an 18-month period, nearly 50% of all mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had elevated levels of depressive symptoms, while the rate of mothers with neurotic children was very low (6). % to 13.6%).
Furthermore, while previous research has suggested that having a depressed parent increases the risk of developing mental health and behavioral issues in children, this study found the opposite.
Daniil Rubinov, assistant professor at UCSF, said, “We found that a mother’s higher levels of depression did not predict an increase in the child’s behavior problems over time, even in families with a child with autism. who are under a lot of stress.” Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and first author of the study.
“This was surprising and welcome news. Being the parent of a child with special needs is inherently difficult every day,” said Alyssa Appel, another professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and senior author of the study.
“This is a classic example of chronic stress, which is why we focused on caring mothers in our study on the effects of stress on health”.
“We already know from this sample that mothers who have higher degrees of depression have signs of rapid biological aging, such as lower levels of the anti-aging hormone Klotho and older immune cells,” Appel said. Told.
We wanted to know how their depression affected their child and vice versa. “One-way street, regardless of ASD status, the researchers found that child behavior problems predicted higher levels of future maternal depression. However, they did not see a reversal effect; prior maternal depression predicted later child behavior. The problems were not predicted.
“Finding that maternal depression does not worsen a child’s symptoms is particularly important for mothers of children with ASD because it helps reduce the guilt that many mothers feel about their child’s diagnosis and behavior problems. feel about it,” said Rubinov. We hope these findings will reassure mothers that it is normal to experience some depression while caring for a child and that their depression is not exacerbating their child’s behavioral issues.
Previous research from the team shows that self-blame and guilt are common in parents of ASD children and predict worsening depression and low life satisfaction over time.
In the current study, researchers measured maternal depression and behavioral problems in 86 mother-infant colors over the course of 18 months. Half of the mothers had autistic children, while the other half had children with neuroticism.
The children included in the study were between two and sixteen years old, most (75%) of whom were of primary school age or younger. The Inventory of Depressive Symptoms, a self-report scale completed by the mothers, was used to assess maternal depression. The Child Challenging Behavior Scale focusing on externalizing behaviors such as tantrums, aggression and defiance was used to assess the child’s behavior.
According to the researchers (eg, withdrawal, anxiety, emotional reactivity), future research should look at the relationship between maternal depression and children’s internalizing symptoms. Previous research has found a bidirectional relationship between maternal depression and child behavior problems. However, very few studies have looked at these relationships in autistic families. According to Rubinov, families with autism face greater marital conflict, less relationship satisfaction, and many other challenges. “A stressful family environment can spill over to family members and change the way mothers and children relate to each other,” she explained. “We wanted to see whether the association between maternal and child mental health differed in high-stress family systems, such as when a child has autism.
“Although the study acknowledged that families with an autistic child experience high levels of stress, the authors were careful to point out that stress is not their only distinguishing feature.” Many mothers of autistic children experience high levels of emotional closeness and Report positive interactions with them. Children,” said Rubinov.
“These are valuable experiences upon which supportive programs can build. After the study, the researchers provided mindfulness classes to all parents to help them cope with parental stress. We were grateful for the opportunity to learn internal coping strategies,” Appel said.
“Many studies have shown that mindfulness training can help with parental stress, and we even found that our parents’ mental health improved. Despite a more difficult life situation, according to Appel It is important to experience and notice positive emotions and happiness.
“Given the effects of chronic stress on health and mood, caring parents need exceptional emotional support in addition to their child’s specialized services,” she said. Supporting a parent’s mental health is just as important as supporting their child’s mental health. She believes that physicians should be on the lookout for a parent’s distress and be prepared to provide resources to parents, especially parents of children with special needs.
Support groups are available in the Bay Area through the National Alliance California Chapter on Mental Illness, Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, and some health insurance companies.