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Paternal involvement in parenting children with autism may improve maternal depressive symptoms

Among families of children with autism spectrum disorder, greater father involvement in literacy activities and caregiving was associated with lower levels of maternal depressive symptoms, according to study findings in Maternal and Child Health Journal.

“Recent studies have shown that the presence of a child with a disability or delay can affect every family member in both positive and negative ways. A growing body of empirical studies has linked child behavior problems associated with disabilities and developmental delays with maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be particularly at risk for experiencing greater levels of stress and depressive symptoms,” study researcher Daniel J. Laxman, PhD, of the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, and colleagues wrote.

Daniel J. Laxman

To investigate associations between father involvement and maternal depressive symptoms in families of children with disabilities or delays, researchers evaluated 3,550 children and their parents when children were aged 9 months, 2 years and 4 years. Both biological parents of study participants resided with their child during their first 4 years of life. When children were aged 9 months, depressive symptoms were assessed among both parents and fathers reported how frequently they engaged in literacy and play activities, routine and responsive caregiving.

Among families of children with ASD, greater father involvement in literacy activities and responsive caregiving at 9 months were associated with lower levels of maternal depressive symptoms at age 4 years.

Father involvement was not associated with maternal depressive symptoms among families of children with disabilities or delays other than ASD or typically developing children.

“The results of this study provide encouraging insight on how early intervention personnel can offer support for families of children with ASD through efforts that target fathers,” Laxman and colleagues wrote. “Building upon this framework, results from the current study suggest that fathers should be an integral part of this ‘family systems’ approach to working with families, and that when men are encouraged to assume more active parental roles, they may play a critical part in addressing maternal depressive symptoms.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.