2016 Gatlinburg Conference Poster
PS-47
Title: Physiological Reactivity and Synchrony in Couples Who Have a Child with Autism and Link to Parenting Stress
Authors: Sigan Hartley, Robert Olson, Paige Bussanich, Iulia Mihaila, Greta Goetz, Emily Hickey
Introduction: There is evidence that challenges associated with having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can affect
marital relationships. Research is now needed to elucidate the processes that allow some couples to adapt to these challenges
and understand the pathway between couple interactions and parenting experiences. Evidence from studies on the general
population suggests that partner physiological reactivity and synchrony (i.e., linkages in the physiological state of partners)
during couple problem-solving tasks taps into the quality of couple interactions and is predictive of longer-term outcomes. In the
current study, autonomic nervous system activity assessed via heart rate (HR) and electrodermal activity (EDA) was collected as
parents who have a child with ASD engaged in a 7-minute couple problem-solving task. The study aims were to: 1) determine the
relation between physiological reactivity and synchrony of parents during a couple problem-solving task and the observed quality
of the interaction; 2) evaluate the relation between parent's physiological reactivity and synchrony during a couple problemsolving task and level of parenting stress.
Method: Analyses included 93 couples in longstanding relationships who have a child with ASD (5-12 yrs). Parents were
predominantly White (88.5%), middle-class, and aged 22-58 yrs (M = 37.75, SD = 5.14). Couples completed a 5-minute baseline
task and then a 7-minute problem-solving task in which they discussed a difference of opinion or disagreement problematic for
their relationship. Parents wore a multisensor wireless wristband that continuously collected HR and EDA. The observed quality
of the couple problem-solving task was rated along several dimensions (engagement, positive affect, negative affect, conflict
resolution, and global quality) using well-established criteria (Frosch et al., 2000). Parents rated level of parenting stress on the
Burden Interview (Zarit et al., 1980).
Results: After controlling for movement and socio-demographic characteristics, multilevel models using hierarchical linear
modeling software indicated that parents observed to exhibit a higher level of negative affect (Coeff = 0.05, SE = 0.02) and
engagement (Coeff = 0.03, SE = 0.01) during the couple problem-solving task exhibited a higher mean increase in EDA, relative to
baseline. Parents observed to exhibit a lower level of conflict resolution (Coeff = 0.08, SE = 0.04) in the couple problem-solving
task exhibited a higher mean increase in HR, relative to baseline. Multilevel models indicated that mothers' EDA (Coeff = 0.18, SE
= 0.08) and HR (Coeff = 0.11, SE = 0.03) significantly positively co-varied during the couple problem-solving task with father's EDA
and HR. However, this association was stronger for couples observed to exhibit higher negative affect. Mothers who evidenced
a higher mean increase in EDA (Coeff = 4.31, SE = 1.86) during the couple problem-solving task, relative to baseline, reported a
higher level of parenting stress. Synchrony in EDA during the couple problem-solving task was significantly positively associated
with level of parenting stress (Coeff = 4.31, SE = 1.86).
Discussion: Findings offer insight into physiological reactivity and synchrony in the couple interactions of parents of children
with ASD. Both reactivity and synchrony in physiological arousal appear to be markers of couple functioning. Moreover,
physiological reactivity and synchrony in couple interactions were related to level of parenting stress, highlighting the link
between marital and parenting experiences.
References/Citations:
• Frosch, C. A., Mangelsdorf, S. C., & McHale, J. L. (2000). Marital behavior and the security of preschooler-parent
attachment relationships. Journal of Family Psychology, 14, 144-161.
• Zarit, S. H., Reever, K. E., & Bach-Peterson, J. (1980). Relatives of the impaired elderly: Correlates of feelings of burden.
The Gerontologist, 20(6), 649-655.