Behind the Scenes: Affiliate Stigma and Posttraumatic Distress Among Mothers of Children With Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Mothers of children with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism and mental health disorders, are at risk for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) due to exposure to trauma related to their children's upbringing. Additionally, research suggests that these mothers may develop affiliate stigma, meaning they internalise the stigmatisation associated with their children, which may further heighten their vulnerability to trauma. However, this supposition has not yet been tested. Bridging this knowledge gap, this cross-sectional study explored the role of affiliate stigma in the relationship between the number of traumatic events and PTSS in mothers of children with autism and mental health disorders. An online survey was conducted among Israeli mothers using self-report measures. The sample consisted of 1448 mothers: 208 mothers of children with autism or mental health disorders, and 1240 mothers of children without disabilities. Results indicated that mothers of children with autism or mental health disorders were exposed to a greater number of traumatic events and exhibited elevated PTSS compared to mothers of children without disabilities. Affiliate stigma was associated with PTSS and moderated the relationship between the number of traumatic events and intrusion and hyperarousal symptoms: although the number of traumatic events explained increased intrusion and hyperarousal symptoms, this effect was stronger under conditions of high affiliate stigma. The present results suggest that mothers of children with neuropsychiatric disorders who internalise stigmatisation regarding their children may be particularly vulnerable to posttraumatic distress. Therefore, clinical interventions targeting affiliate stigma may be imperative for this population.