Adaptation and quality of life of parents with a child with autism spectrum disorder: a comparative exploratory study between France, French-speaking Belgium and Quebec.
(2018) Psychologie Française — Vol. 65, n° 2, p. 141-155 (2018)
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- Abstract
- Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) entails significant stress levels that impact parent's quality of life. The aim of this study is to explore parental adaptation between parents in France, French-speaking Belgium and Quebec. A total of 87 parents replied to questionnaires and self-rating scales to assess: (1) information about their child and family situation; (2) perceived stress (ALES-vf); (3) perceived social support (QSSP); (4) perceived control (CLCS); (5) coping strategies (WCC-R) and (6) quality of life (specific scale). The results show that French children with ASD are diagnosed later and attend less school than their counterparts in French-speaking Belgium and Quebec. French parents are more likely to perceive their current situation of having a child with ASD as a loss compared to their prior situation. They can count on more people, but tend not to seek social support. This study highlights the importance of considering environmental and contextual variables to understand parental stress and quality of life.
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Citations
Cappe Emilie, Pedoux Amandine, Poirier Nathalie, Downes Naomi, & Grosbois, N. (2018). Adaptation and quality of life of parents with a child with autism spectrum disorder: a comparative exploratory study between France, French-speaking Belgium and Quebec. Psychologie Française, 65(2), 141-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psfr.2018.11.002 (Original work published 2018)