Networks, Support, and Mental Health in Parents of Children with Autism: An Accelerated Longitudinal Study

• In Event: 598 - Section on Sociology of Mental Health Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 02. Family

Abstract

Using a cohort sequential design and multilevel modeling, the impact of a variety of social network characteristics on parent perceived social support, depressed mood, and psychological well-being were assessed over a seven-year period when children with autism in the study were aged 7 to 14. Consistent with prior research,, increased network size, frequency of contact, and network emotional and instrumental support were found to be linked to increased levels perceived parent support over time, while increased network interpersonal strain was found to exert an increasingly negative effect on this outcome as children aged. In regard to parent mental health (depressed mood and well-being), results indicate that different network features impact each outcome, with frequency of contact (negatively) and network interpersonal strain (positively) impacting parent depression over time, while network size and network emotional support positively predicting increased parent well-being as children age. Study limitations and implications are discussed.

Author

• Paul R. Benson, University of Massachusetts-Boston