Psychological Flexibility Mediates the Relationship Between Resilience and Parenting Stress in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Psychological Flexibility Mediates the Relationship Between Resilience and Parenting Stress in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be a challenging and stressful experience. This study investigated the role of psychological flexibility in mediating the relationship between resilience and parenting stress among parents of children with ASD. Participants included a sample of parents of children with ASD who completed questionnaires assessing resilience, psychological flexibility, and parenting stress. The results of the mediation analysis revealed that psychological flexibility significantly mediated the relationship between resilience and parenting stress, such that higher levels of resilience were associated with lower levels of parenting stress through the mediating effect of psychological flexibility. These findings suggest that psychological flexibility may serve as a protective factor against parenting stress in parents of children with ASD. The implications of these findings for interventions aimed at improving the well-being of parents of children with ASD are discussed.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, ASD, parenting stress, resilience, psychological flexibility, mediation, parents, children