Chronic Stress and Well-Being: Testing Mindfulness as a Proposed Method to Decrease Stress in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Parenting is a demanding role that encompasses many responsibilities and challenges. When a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, there are additional demands on the parent's time, energy, and financial resources, which likely leads to increased levels of chronic stress for parents. This dissertation examines the differences in chronic stress levels between parents who have children with autism and parents who do not, using hair cortisol concentration (HCC) as a benchmark. This dissertation also explores reducing parental stress by introducing a mindfulness intervention. Participants (n = 68) were recruited and divided into two groups: Parents of children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and parents of neurotypical (NT) children. It was hypothesized that parents of ASD children would have higher stress levels than parents of NT children, that parents who participate in the intervention would have a reduction in stress, and that parents of ASD children would benefit more from the intervention compared to parents of NT children. The intervention consisted of an online, self-compassion-based mindfulness course that was introduced to parents. To examine the course's effectiveness in reducing stress for parents who completed (or at least began) the course, baseline, pre-, and post-mindfulness data were collected using self-report questionnaires and hair cortisol concentration levels. Questionnaire data demonstrated higher levels of stress in parents of children with autism as compared to parents of neurotypical children. However, the mindfulness course did not demonstrate effective stress reduction for parents in every self-report measure, though cortisol levels did decrease for both groups following the intervention. Evidence suggests that the course was effective in increasing feelings of self-compassion and increasing perception of flourishing, Additionally, cortisol levels decreased significantly in parents after participating in the mindfulness course. By investigating stress in parents of children with autism and exploring mindfulness as a possible resource for stress reduction, this dissertation contributes to the broader discourse on family well-being and mental health. It is my hope that insights garnered from this research will inform the development of supportive frameworks that empower families, foster resilience, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for children with autism and their parents.