Moms of autistic kids are often depressed: A new study on stress and depression

It's hard to take care of kids with special needs, but how hard is it?

A new study shows that mothers with autistic kids have way higher risks of having depression than moms of typical kids.

Let's find out more about it.

What the study reveals

In a recent study, researchers from UCSF found that many mothers with children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience depression. 

Over 18 months, about half of these mothers had symptoms of depression, while only 6% to 13.6% of mothers with typical (neurotypical) children did.

Surprisingly, the study also found that a mother's depression didn't lead to more behavior problems in their children, whether they had ASD or not. 

Instead, it was the children's behavior problems that often predicted higher levels of depression in mothers.

This discovery is good news for mothers of children with ASD because it can help reduce feelings of guilt. 

Parents of children with special needs often blame themselves for their children's challenges, but this study suggests that a mother's depression doesn't make her child's behavior problems worse.

The researchers found that while maternal depression was common in high-stress situations like caregiving for children with ASD, it didn't necessarily have a negative impact on their children's behavior.

Why it's important

The study also highlighted the importance of providing support and resources for parents, especially those raising children with special needs. 

Mindfulness classes were offered to the parents, which showed improvements in their mental health. 

It's essential to offer help to parents in addition to services for their children to ensure the well-being of the entire family.
 

• Related news:
• research
• mother
• depression
• autism
• 13 October 2023

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