Associations between Parents’ Broad Autism Phenotype and Relationship Satisfaction in Parents of Children with Autism

• In Event: Implications of the Broad Autism Phenotype in Parents with a Child with ASD for Family Functioning

Abstract

Previous research has linked poor relationship satisfaction with parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD; Hartley et al., 2010; Sim et al., 2016). Parents of children with ASD, however, also have higher levels of Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) traits themselves—that is, they evidence subclinical levels of autism symptoms, including communication difficulties, rigid personality traits, and emotional aloofness. Therefore, children’s ASD symptoms may not fully account for why these parents are at greater risk for marital discord. Recently, Hartley and colleagues (2019) showed that BAP traits predicted communication difficulties in parents of a child with ASD, above and beyond their child’s ASD symptoms. Moreover, decades of research has shown that the quality of the interparental relationship predicts children’s’ well-being. Building on this work, the present study tested the extent to which (a) BAP traits in parents of children with ASD predicted their marital relationship satisfaction, controlling for their child’s ASD symptom severity, and (b) discrepancies in parents’ BAP traits were associated with marital satisfaction. We hypothesized that (a) fathers would have higher BAP levels than mothers, but that both fathers’ and mothers’ BAP traits would be negatively associated with relationship satisfaction, and (b) discrepancies in BAP traits would be associated with lower levels of relationship satisfaction. We also plan to test associations between parents’ BAP traits and relationship quality on their child’s mental health. Preliminary analyses were conducted with 116 families with a child with ASD (Mage = 12.78 years, SD = 2.17, 81% male) who are part of an ongoing, longitudinal study. Parents were in established relationships (89% married, Mlength = 16.49 years, SD = 4.91). Parents completed the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (Hurley, et al., 2007), the Couple Satisfaction Inventory (Funk & Rogge, 2007), and the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (Constantino, 2012) assessing children’s ASD symptom severity, and children completed the Child Depression Inventory-2 (Kovacs, 1992). Total and subscale BAP scores were not correlated between parents. Fathers were higher in total BAP, t(114) = 4.11, p < .001, aloofness, t(114) = 5.14, p < .001, and pragmatic language t(114) = 2.53, p = .013. Contrary to hypotheses, there were no significant actor or partner effects of total BAP or BAP sub-scales on relationship satisfaction. However, discrepancy between fathers’ and mothers’ total BAP, β = 0.32, p = .001, and pragmatic communication, β = 0.58, p < .001, predicted fathers’ relationship satisfaction. That is, discrepancy between parents’ BAP traits was associated with lower relationship satisfaction for fathers when mothers were lower and fathers were higher on the BAP. These findings are partially consistent with hypotheses and previous research showing males have higher BAP scores on average, and the BAP is associated with poor relationship outcomes. This study is the first to provide evidence that discrepancy in BAP levels between parents is related to worse relationship satisfaction. This finding is especially relevant given previous research showing robust links between impaired interparental relationship quality and children’s development. The findings can inform relationship interventions with parents of children on the spectrum.

Authors

• Chelsea Carson, Southern Methodist University
  Presenting Author

• Naomi Ekas, Texas Christian University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Chrystyna D Kouros, Southern Methodist University
  Non-Presenting Author