Parenting a child with a disability, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and genetic syndromes, implies a high level of stress. During the COVID-19 outbreak-as a period implying additional challenges-few studies have specifically investigated caregivers' distress among neurodevelopmental disabilities. The objective of the study is to investigate whether during the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of parental stress differs between four disability groups including neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)) and genetic syndromes (Rett syndrome (RTT), Sotos syndrome (SS)) in comparison to families with typical development offspring (TD). In total, 220 Italian parents of children affected by neurodevelopmental disabilities (74 ASD, 51 ADHD, 34 SS, 21 RTT, 40 TD; age M 9.4 +/- SD 4.2) underwent a standardized evaluation for stress related to parenting through the self-report questionnaire, Parental Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). The main findings show greater levels of parental stress-mainly linked to child behavioral characteristics rather than parental sense of competence-in parents of children affected by a disability in comparison to children with typical development. This study highlights the need to support not only individuals with special needs but also their own caregivers: core figures in the management and outcome of children disorders.

Siracusano, M., Riccioni, A., EMBERTI GIALLORETI, L., Segatori, E., Arturi, L., Vasta, M., et al. (2021). Parental Stress and Disability in Offspring: A Snapshot during the COVID-19 Pandemic. BRAIN SCIENCES, 11(8), 1-12 [10.3390/brainsci11081040].

Parental Stress and Disability in Offspring: A Snapshot during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Martina Siracusano;Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti;Michelangelo Vasta;Cinzia Galasso;Luigi Mazzone
2021-08-05

Abstract

Parenting a child with a disability, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and genetic syndromes, implies a high level of stress. During the COVID-19 outbreak-as a period implying additional challenges-few studies have specifically investigated caregivers' distress among neurodevelopmental disabilities. The objective of the study is to investigate whether during the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of parental stress differs between four disability groups including neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)) and genetic syndromes (Rett syndrome (RTT), Sotos syndrome (SS)) in comparison to families with typical development offspring (TD). In total, 220 Italian parents of children affected by neurodevelopmental disabilities (74 ASD, 51 ADHD, 34 SS, 21 RTT, 40 TD; age M 9.4 +/- SD 4.2) underwent a standardized evaluation for stress related to parenting through the self-report questionnaire, Parental Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). The main findings show greater levels of parental stress-mainly linked to child behavioral characteristics rather than parental sense of competence-in parents of children affected by a disability in comparison to children with typical development. This study highlights the need to support not only individuals with special needs but also their own caregivers: core figures in the management and outcome of children disorders.
5-ago-2021
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore MED/39 - NEUROPSICHIATRIA INFANTILE
English
ADHD; ASD; caregiver; COVID-19; disability; genetic syndrome; neurodevelopmental disorders; parents; Sotos; stress; Rett
Siracusano, M., Riccioni, A., EMBERTI GIALLORETI, L., Segatori, E., Arturi, L., Vasta, M., et al. (2021). Parental Stress and Disability in Offspring: A Snapshot during the COVID-19 Pandemic. BRAIN SCIENCES, 11(8), 1-12 [10.3390/brainsci11081040].
Siracusano, M; Riccioni, A; EMBERTI GIALLORETI, L; Segatori, E; Arturi, L; Vasta, M; Cristina Porfirio, M; Terribili, M; Galasso, C; Mazzone, L...espandi
Articolo su rivista
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
brainsci-11-01040.pdf

accesso aperto

Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 481.67 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
481.67 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/313535
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 9
  • Scopus 23
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 18
social impact