Abstract of A. Siman Tov lecture


STRESS AND PERSONAL RESOURCE AS PREDICTORS OF THE
ADJUSTMENT OF PARENTS TO AUTISTIC CHILDREN: A
MULTIVARIATE MODEL

A. Siman Tov1, S. Kaniel2
1 Kibbutzim College of Education Technology, Israel; 2 Bar Ilan University, Israel

The research validates a multivariate model that predicts parental
adjustment to coping successfully with an autistic child. The model
comprises four elements: parental stress, parental resources, parental
adjustment and the child’s autism symptoms. 176 parents of children
aged between 6 to 16 diagnosed with PDD answered several
questionnaires measuring parental stress, personal resources (sense
of coherence, locus of control, social support) adjustment (mental
health and marriage quality) and the child’s autism symptoms. Path
analysis showed that sense of coherence, internal locus of control,
social support and quality of marriage increase the ability to cope with
the stress of parenting an autistic child. Directions for further research
are suggested.


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