Implications of the Broad Autism Phenotype in Parents with a Child with ASD for Family Functioning

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

The Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) refers to sub-clinical characteristics of autism, including emotionally aloof and rigid personality traits as well as communication difficulties. Previous research suggests that relatives of individuals with autism have higher than average levels of BAP traits. Whereas there has been extensive research suggesting that having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with marital discord (Saini et al., 2015; Sim, Cordier, Vaz, & Falkmer, 2016) and increased parenting stress (Ekas & Whitman, 2010; Hartley, Seltzer, Head, & Abbeduto, 2012), relatively little work has been conducted directly linking BAP traits in parents of children with ASD with their parenting and relationship functioning. The three presentations in this symposium will address the family impact of parents’ BAP traits in three independent samples of parents who have a child with ASD. The first presentation showed that discrepancies in parents’ BAP was associated with worse interparental relationship quality. The second presentation provides a more in-depth analysis of the effect of parents’ BAP for their relationship, by showing that parental BAP is related to less dyadic coping, thereby possibly impacting parents’ ability to solve problems together. The third presentation demonstrated that parents’ BAP also predicts their parenting warmth and competence. Collectively, these presentations show the importance of considering parents’ BAP, over and above their child’s ASD status or symptoms, for understanding the potential impact of autism on families. Our discussant will provide insight into the implications of these findings for future research as well as family- and parenting-based interventions.

Sub Unit

• Family Context & Processes

Chair

• Chelsea Carson, Southern Methodist University

Discussant

• Leann Smith DaWalt, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Individual Presentations

• Associations between Parents’ Broad Autism Phenotype and Relationship Satisfaction in Parents of Children with Autism - Presenting Author: Chelsea Carson, Southern Methodist University; Non-Presenting Author: Naomi Ekas, Texas Christian University; Non-Presenting Author: Chrystyna D Kouros, Southern Methodist University

• Optimizing Parents’ Romantic Relationships in the Context of Broad Autism Phenotype - Presenting Author: Jennifer M Putney, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Non-Presenting Author: Sigan Hartley, University of Wisconsin

• The Broad Autism Phenotype and Parenting in Mothers and Fathers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - Presenting Author: Naomi Ekas, Texas Christian University; Non-Presenting Author: Deborah Rafferty, Texas Christian University