Maternal And Paternal Differences in Parental Stress and Children’s Autistic Features Among Parents of Preschool Autistic Children

Parents of autistic children experience varying levels of stress, with only few studies examining gender-specific differences and their determinants. This study examined the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with stress among mothers and fathers of preschool-aged autistic children in Australia. Data were analysed from 516 parents of preschool-aged autistic children enrolled in six Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres. Multilevel regression models assessed associations between maternal and paternal stress and sociodemographic factors, parental quality of life, and child's clinical characteristics, while adjusting for key covariates, and accounting for clustering of parent responses within children. Among the sample, 465 mothers and 216 fathers completed the Parental Stress Index-Fourth Edition-Short Form questionnaire, representing 516 unique children, with some children having responses from both parents. Findings showed that culturally and linguistically diverse status was protective against stress for both parents, but higher level of education was protective only against maternal stress. Maternal stress was influenced by a broad range of child's autistic traits, including behavioural differences, social communication, repetitive behaviours and adaptive functioning, whereas paternal stress was only associated with behavioural differences. These findings highlight gender-specific factors affecting stress and reinforce the need for tailored supports for families of autistic preschool children.Lay AbstractMany parents of autistic children experience high levels of stress. While mothers and fathers may face these challenges differently, only a few studies have explored gender-specific differences in parental stress. This study looked at the factors linked to stress in both mothers and fathers of preschool-aged autistic children in Australia. We analysed data from 516 parents whose children were enrolled in six Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres nationwide in Australia. Mothers reported higher overall stress than fathers. Parents from a culturally and linguistically diverse background or those who had higher education levels tended to report lower stress. On the other hand, greater child behavioural difficulties, challenges in social communication and poorer parental quality of life were linked to higher stress levels. These findings highlight the need for tailored, culturally sensitive supports for families, especially during the early years when children are starting intervention and parents are adapting to new caregiving demands.