2016 Gatlinburg Conference Poster
PS-28
Title: Observed Couple Problem-Solving Interactions in Parents Who Have a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Iulia Mihaila, Sigan Hartley, Aubrey M. Fisher, Sarah K. Dietrich,
Introduction: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report poorer psychological well-being than parents of
typically developing children, however little is known about how child-related challenges influence marital quality. Few studies
have examined marital quality in parents with a child with ASD, and these studies have been limited to self-reported measures.
The present study aimed to 1) determine whether couple problem-solving interactions about the child with ASD were observed
to be more negative than interactions about other topics and 2) to examine associations between parent and child
characteristics and the observed quality of couple interactions.
Methods: Analyses were based on 179 couples with a child with ASD. Parents were predominantly Caucasian, middle-class, and
ranged from 22-60 years (M = 39.86, SD = 5.84). Children with ASD were aged 5-12 years (M = 7.90, SD = 2.26) and 87% were
male. Couples completed a 7-minute videotaped problem-solving interaction, in which they discussed a disagreement that was
problematic for their relationship. Additionally, parents reported on family socio-demographics and completed the Child
Behavior Checklist (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS; Constantino & Gruber, 2012), and the
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977). Three trained lab members coded the interactions on
dimensions of positive and negative affect, sensitivity, conflict resolution, and global interaction quality using well-defined
criteria (Frosch et al., 1998; 2000).
Results: A one-way repeated measures multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated a significant difference in fathers'
observed positive affect based on interaction topic (F(12,167) = 2.32, p = .01). Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc comparisons
indicated that fathers who discussed chores displayed higher levels of positive affect than fathers who discussed work or the
child with ASD. Additionally, there were significant differences in mothers' age (F(12,167) = 2.40 p = .01), fathers' age (F(12,167)
= 1.99, p = .03), and fathers' depressive symptoms (F(12,167) = 2.08, p = .02) by topic. Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc
comparisons indicated that fathers who discussed commitment were younger than fathers who discussed their child with ASD
and fathers who discussed work had more depressive symptoms than fathers who discussed parenting. Finally, multiple linear
regressions indicated that mothers' depressive symptoms (β = -.19, p = .01) were negatively associated with their observed
negative affect, and the child's behavior problems (β = .18, p = .05) were positively associated. The presence of intellectual
disability (ID) in the child (β = .17, p = .03) and behavior problems (β = .20, p = .02) were positively associated with fathers'
observed negative affect, and severity of autism symptoms (β = -.26, p = .01) was negatively associated. Mothers' depressive
symptoms (β = .19, p = .01) were positively associated with global interaction quality, and the child's ID status (β = -.18, p = .02)
was negatively associated. Mothers' depressive symptoms (β = .17, p = .04) and the child's ID status (β = -.19, p = .02) were
similarly associated with sensitivity. The child's ID status (β = -.19, p = .02) and severity of autism symptoms (β = .18, p = .05)
were associated with conflict resolution.
Discussion: Findings indicate that parents engaged in couple problem-solving interactions about the child with ASD are not
observed to be more negative than parents engaged in interactions about other topics. The child with ASD's ID status, behavior
problems, and severity of autism symptoms were associated with observed quality of the couples' interaction. Additionally,
mothers with higher levels of depressive symptoms were observed to have less negative interactions. Findings offer insight into
the couple interactions of parents and identify which parents may be at risk of more negative couple problem-solving
interactions.