1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« This dissertation examined how various child and parent factors relate to psychological well-being in parents of children with autism and Down syndrome. » (p. vii)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
- Article 1 : l’échantillon comprend 70 mères et leurs enfants autistes ou atteints du syndrome de Down.
- Article 2 : l’échantillon comprend 141 mères et pères d’enfants autistes ou atteints du syndrome de Down.
- Article 3 : l’échantillon comprend 75 mères et leurs enfants autistes ou atteints du syndrome de Down.

Instruments:
- questionnaires
- grille d’entrevue semi-dirigée
- outils d’observation

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

This thesis consists of three articles. « In Article 1, parent-related stressors, social support, negative appraisals, diagnosis, and behaviours of health professionals predicted 40 to 41% of the variance of maternal depressive symptoms. As well, 60% of mothers met the clinical threshold for depressive symptoms. Mothers with fewer depressive symptoms had better overall coping and informal social support than mothers with greater depressive symptoms. The groups did not differ on positive appraisals, behaviours of health professionals and children’s distractibility/hyperactivity, adaptability, and demanding behaviour. In Article 2, the effect of child diagnosis on maternal and paternal stress was examined. Clinically significant child-related stress was reported by 67% of mothers and 60% of fathers and clinically significant parent-related stress was reported by 49% of mothers and 28% of fathers. Mothers felt more depressed, restricted in the parenting role, and unsupported by spouses than fathers. When maternal and paternal stress was differentiated by autism and Down syndrome, significant differences emerged for parent depression and role restriction and children’s demanding behaviour, positive reinforcement to parent, and mood. Mothers of children with autism fared the worst in all domains of stress. In Article 3, children’s social competence and parent stress were explored. Children with Down syndrome had better emotional regulation, social participation, and peer initiations than children with autism. Greater maternal stress related to parenting competence, depression, and isolation was linked to poorer pretend play, peer initiations, play and leisure time, and coping in children with autism. For mothers of children with Down syndrome, greater stress associated with parenting competence and role restriction was linked to children’s poorer emotional regulation. Likewise, stress associated with parenting competence, isolation, physical health, role restriction, and lack of spousal support were implicated in children’s poorer coping. Finally, restriction in the parenting role and lack of spousal support were related to poorer interpersonal relations and play and leisure skills. » (p. vii-viii)