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The Reciprocal Relationship of ASD, ADHD, Depressive Symptoms and Stress in Parents of Children with ASD and/or ADHD

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Abstract

This study investigated the role of parental Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depressive symptoms on parenting stress in 174 families with children with ASD and/or ADHD, using generalized linear models and structural equation models. Fathers and mothers reported more stress when parenting with their child with ASD and/or ADHD than when parenting with the unaffected sibling; they also experienced more stress than a norm population. Depressive symptoms were most pronounced in the parents of children with ASD and ASD+ADHD. Spouse correlations were found for ASD, depression, and parenting stress. Paternal ASD and maternal ADHD symptoms were related to increased parenting stress, and parental ADHD symptoms with depressive symptoms and parenting stress. The results highlight the increased burden of raising a child with ASD and/or ADHD and the reciprocal relationship this has with parents’ ASD, ADHD, and depressive symptoms, and levels of stress.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank parents, teachers and children participating in this project. The BOA-study was partly funded by a grant assigned to dr. Rommelse by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO Grant # 91610024). The IMAGE study was partly funded by a grant assigned to Stephen Faraone by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH grant # R01 MH62873-01A1) and by a grant assigned to Jan Buitelaar by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO Grant # 1750102007010).

Conflict of interest

Van Steijn, Oerlemans, van Aken and Rommelse declare that they have no conflict of interest. In the past 4 years Buitelaar has been a consultant to/member of advisory board of/and/or speaker for Janssen Cilag BV, Eli Lilly, Bristol-Myer Squibb, Organon/Shering Plough, UCB, Shire, Medice, Servier, and Servier.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Reinier Postlaan 12, 6525 GC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Daphne J. van Steijn, Anoek M. Oerlemans, Jan K. Buitelaar & Nanda N. J. Rommelse

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Anoek M. Oerlemans & Nanda N. J. Rommelse

  3. Department of Developmental Psychology, University Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Marcel A. G. van Aken

  4. Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Jan K. Buitelaar

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  1. Daphne J. van Steijn
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Correspondence to Daphne J. van Steijn.

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van Steijn, D.J., Oerlemans, A.M., van Aken, M.A.G. et al. The Reciprocal Relationship of ASD, ADHD, Depressive Symptoms and Stress in Parents of Children with ASD and/or ADHD. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 1064–1076 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1958-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1958-9

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