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Network Characteristics, Perceived Social Support, and Psychological Adjustment in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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An Erratum to this article was published on 26 October 2012

Abstract

This study examined the characteristics of the support networks of 106 mothers of children with ASD and their relationship to perceived social support, depressed mood, and subjective well-being. Using structural equation modeling, two competing sets of hypotheses were assessed: (1) that network characteristics would impact psychological adjustment directly, and (2) that network effects on adjustment would be indirect, mediated by perceived social support. Results primarily lent support to the latter hypotheses, with measures of network structure (network size) and function (proportion of network members providing emotional support) predicting increased levels of perceived social support which, in turn, predicted decreased depressed mood and increased well-being. Results also indicated that increased interpersonal strain in the maternal network was directly and indirectly associated with increased maternal depression, while being indirectly linked to reduced well-being. Study limitations and implications are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks are extended to the mothers who participated in this study and to Kristie Karlof, Dorothy Robison, and Zach Rossetti for their invaluable assistance in data collection. The research on which this study is based was supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Grant No. H324C040092 (A Longitudinal Study of Children with ASD and Their Families During the Elementary School Years).

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  1. Department of Sociology and Center for Social Development and Education, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA

    Paul R. Benson

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Benson, P.R. Network Characteristics, Perceived Social Support, and Psychological Adjustment in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 2597–2610 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1517-9

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