Predictors of parent stress in a sample of children with ASD: Pain, problem behavior, and parental coping

Studies have shown that children with ASD have increased severity and incidence of pain symptoms compared to typically developing children and children with other disorders. Pain has also been shown to act as a setting event for problem behavior. Further, problem behavior is one of the biggest impediments to quality of life for families and highly relates to parent stress. This study examined pain and problem behavior as predictors of parent stress and also examined how parenting style interacted with pain and problem behavior to influence parent stress. Results showed that problem behavior was a moderating factor between pain and parent stress and there was a significant interaction between pain and problem behavior predicting stress. An overprotective parenting style also moderated the relationship between pain and parent stress and there was an interaction between the two factors predicting stress. Implications are discussed in terms of treatments that focus on children's behavior and parenting behavior in order to improve quality of life in families of children with ASD.

► Parent stress (PS) was positively associated with child problem behavior (PB) and pain.
► PB moderated the relationship between pain and PS.
► Pain predicted PS only at high levels of PB.
► An overprotective parenting style moderated the relationship between pain and PS.