The Influence of Social Support on Maternal Parenting Stress in the Context of Child ASD and ADHD Symptomology

Previous research has examined levels of parenting stress and social support among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and typically developing (TD) children. Research has yet to examine the extent to which social support may impact levels of parenting stress above and beyond child ASD and ADHD symptomology. The potential mediating role that social support may play in relation to parenting stress also has yet to be investigated. Given these gaps, the aim of the current study was to examine the role of social support as it relates to maternal parenting stress in the context of diverse child ASD and ADHD symptomology.

Data were obtained using a cross-sectional online survey and were analyzed using a hierarchical linear regression.

Analysis revealed a significant relationship between social support and parenting stress above and beyond child symptomology. Mediation analyses revealed that social support mediated the relationship between child ASD symptomology and parenting stress suggesting that social support may play a role in these relationships. However, social support was not found to mediate the relationship between child ADHD symptomology and parenting stress.

Clinical recommendations for practical ways to bolster social support in parents and families, as well as directions for future research avenues are discussed.