Who Participates In Support Groups for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders? the Role of Beliefs and Coping Style

Background:  Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) report experiencing more stress and mental health problems than parents of both children with other intellectual disabilities and children without disabilities (e.g., Blacher & McIntyre, 2006; Eisenhower, Baker, & Blacher, 2005). Research has shown that participating in support groups is associated with less stress, less negative mood (Kerr & McIntosh, 2000; Preyde & Ardal, 2003) and more positive perceptions (Singer et al., 1999). Previous research with parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has found that family demographic variables, clinical characteristics of the child, and having been referred by the diagnosing clinician predicted support group use (Mandell & Salzer, 2007). In other populations coping style, perceived controllability of the disorder, mood, social support, and beliefs and attitudes about support groups have been  important predictors of use of support groups (Grande, Myers, & Sutton, 2006; Fontana, Fleischman, McCarton, Meltzer, & Ruff, 1988; Mickelson, 1997; Smith, Gabard, Dale, & Drucker, 1994).

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to explore the factors contributing to the participation of parents of children with ASD in support groups. Determining how parents of children with ASD who access parent support groups (PSGs) differ from those who do not can facilitate the development of strategies to support all parents of children with ASD.

Methods:  One hundred forty-nine parents of children with ASD completed a series of online questionnaires measuring their beliefs about support groups and ASD, coping styles, social support, mood, parenting stress, and their child’s autistic symptoms and daily functioning. The parents were divided into three groups based on their use of support groups: never used support groups (n = 36), past support group use (n = 37), and current support group use (n =76).

Results:  The groups significantly differed in their beliefs and attitudes about support groups and their use of adaptive coping strategies. Some parents who had never participated in PSGs reported that accessibility issues, such as the time, location, and lack of child care made it difficult to participate. Other parents who had participated in PSGs in the past did not find the groups to be as beneficial as parents who were currently participating in support groups. Those parents who participated in PSGs reported using more adaptive coping strategies than parents who were not currently participating in PSGs.

Conclusions:  These findings suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to supporting parents of children with ASD will not be most effective, rather focusing on the self-identified individual needs of the parent could lead to better support for parents and more efficient use of community resources. Further research on support groups for parents of children with ASD is warranted in order to learn more about the potential benefits of this support for parents, and the applicability of unique and innovative models of support, such as online groups.