2016 Gatlinburg Conference Poster
PS-23
Title: The Impact of the Broader Autism Phenotype on Social Relationships and Mental Health for Mothers of Children with
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Megan M. Pruitt, Kelcie Willis, Lisa Timmons, Naomi Ekas
Introduction: Several studies have shown that child symptom severity impacts the well-being of mothers of children with autism
spectrum disorder (ASD; Ekas & Whitman, 2010); however, it is possible that maternal characteristics may also contribute to
well-being. For example, mothers of a child with ASD who report higher levels of broader autism phenotype (BAP) characteristics
also report greater depressive symptoms (Ingersoll & Hambrick, 2011). The proposed mechanism that explained this association
was social support. That is, increased BAP characteristics predicted decreased social support, which was related to elevated
depressive symptoms. Since the BAP consists of social interaction difficulties, it is possible that mothers with elevated BAP
characteristics may find difficulty reaching out to others for support. Unfortunately, that study did not differentiate between the
various sources of social support. In the current study, we sought to examine the role of various social relationships (friends,
family, and spouse) in the association between the BAP and well-being in mothers of children with ASD.
Methods: Ninety-eight mothers of a child with ASD (8-16 years of age) completed online questionnaires. These measures
assessed the broader autism phenotype (BAPQ), child behavior problems (SDQ), marital satisfaction (CSI), friend support and
family support (MPSS), and depressive symptoms (CESD).
Results: Marital satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between BAP and depressive symptoms (95% CI: .10, 1.84),
where increased BAP characteristics were associated with lower levels of marital satisfaction, b = -10.60, SE = 5.24, p < .05, which
was associated with greater depressive symptoms, b = -.08, SE = .03, p ≤ .01. There was no evidence for mediation via friend or
family support. Although there was a direct effect of both BAP, b = 4.49, SE = 1.52, p ≤ .01, and child behavior problems, b = .41,
SE = .16, p ≤ .01, on depressive symptoms, there was no evidence of mediation for child behavior problems.
Discussion: Expanding on previous research, these results suggest that both maternal characteristics and child behavior
problems are related to lower maternal well-being. However, we found that social relationships partially explain the relationship
between the BAP and depressive symptoms. The social deficits associated with the BAP appear to negatively affect a mother's
marital satisfaction. Without the support of a satisfactory marriage, a mother may not be able to effectively cope with the
challenges associated with raising a child with ASD. Overall, this study suggests that the marital relationship may be a key point
of intervention for mothers of a child with ASD who are at risk for lower well-being due to elevated BAP characteristics as well as
their child's behaviors.
References/Citations:
• Ekas, N. & Whitman, T.L. (2010). Autism symptom topography and maternal socioemotional functioning. American
Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 115, 234-249. doi: 10.1352/1944-7558-115.3.234
• Ingersoll, B. & Hambrick, D.Z. (2011). The relationship between the broader autism phenotype, child severity, and stress
and depression in parents of child with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 337-344.
doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2010.04.017