Characterizing Parent–Child Interactions in Families of Autistic Children in Late Childhood
Parent–child interactions are influential to a wide range of positive developmental processes in neurotypical children, yet contributions to our understanding of these interactions using observational methods in families of children on the autism spectrum are lacking. The aim of the current study is...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Social Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/11/3/100 |
| _version_ | 1797442171105705984 |
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| author | James B. McCauley Marjorie Solomon |
| author_facet | James B. McCauley Marjorie Solomon |
| author_sort | James B. McCauley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Parent–child interactions are influential to a wide range of positive developmental processes in neurotypical children, yet contributions to our understanding of these interactions using observational methods in families of children on the autism spectrum are lacking. The aim of the current study is to investigate how autism symptoms might impact these interactions. We use a family discussion task to: (1) compare families of autistic children aged 8–12 years (<i>n</i> = 21) to families of typically developing children (<i>n</i> = 21, matched on age and cognitive abilities) on the observed levels of supportive and directive behaviors in the parent–child relationship, and (2) examine the associations between parent–child interaction characteristics and child functioning. Results showed no differences in the observed levels of supportive behavior exhibited by parents, but significantly less supportive behavior in autistic children compared to neurotypical children. In addition, parents of autistic children had higher levels of observed directive behavior compared to parents of neurotypical children. Levels of supportive behavior in parents and autistic children were negatively associated with child ADHD symptoms. Findings reinforce literature on younger children describing positive parenting characteristics and further rebuke historical accounts of negative parenting qualities of parents of autistic children. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:37:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7b516c25e1f34786baaab07821336517 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0760 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:37:58Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-7b516c25e1f34786baaab078213365172023-11-30T22:22:31ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602022-02-0111310010.3390/socsci11030100Characterizing Parent–Child Interactions in Families of Autistic Children in Late ChildhoodJames B. McCauley0Marjorie Solomon1Department of Psychology, Saint Mary’s College of California, Moraga, CA 94575, USADepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA 95817, USAParent–child interactions are influential to a wide range of positive developmental processes in neurotypical children, yet contributions to our understanding of these interactions using observational methods in families of children on the autism spectrum are lacking. The aim of the current study is to investigate how autism symptoms might impact these interactions. We use a family discussion task to: (1) compare families of autistic children aged 8–12 years (<i>n</i> = 21) to families of typically developing children (<i>n</i> = 21, matched on age and cognitive abilities) on the observed levels of supportive and directive behaviors in the parent–child relationship, and (2) examine the associations between parent–child interaction characteristics and child functioning. Results showed no differences in the observed levels of supportive behavior exhibited by parents, but significantly less supportive behavior in autistic children compared to neurotypical children. In addition, parents of autistic children had higher levels of observed directive behavior compared to parents of neurotypical children. Levels of supportive behavior in parents and autistic children were negatively associated with child ADHD symptoms. Findings reinforce literature on younger children describing positive parenting characteristics and further rebuke historical accounts of negative parenting qualities of parents of autistic children.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/11/3/100parent–child interactionsautism spectrum disorderlate childhoodmental health |
| spellingShingle | James B. McCauley Marjorie Solomon Characterizing Parent–Child Interactions in Families of Autistic Children in Late Childhood Social Sciences parent–child interactions autism spectrum disorder late childhood mental health |
| title | Characterizing Parent–Child Interactions in Families of Autistic Children in Late Childhood |
| title_full | Characterizing Parent–Child Interactions in Families of Autistic Children in Late Childhood |
| title_fullStr | Characterizing Parent–Child Interactions in Families of Autistic Children in Late Childhood |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterizing Parent–Child Interactions in Families of Autistic Children in Late Childhood |
| title_short | Characterizing Parent–Child Interactions in Families of Autistic Children in Late Childhood |
| title_sort | characterizing parent child interactions in families of autistic children in late childhood |
| topic | parent–child interactions autism spectrum disorder late childhood mental health |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/11/3/100 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jamesbmccauley characterizingparentchildinteractionsinfamiliesofautisticchildreninlatechildhood AT marjoriesolomon characterizingparentchildinteractionsinfamiliesofautisticchildreninlatechildhood |