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. 2010 Mar;25(1):37-46.
doi: 10.1177/1088357609350367.

Sibling Adjustment and Maternal Well-Being: An Examination of Families With and Without a Child With an Autism Spectrum Disorder

Nicole Quintero  1 , Laura Lee McIntyre
Affiliations

Sibling Adjustment and Maternal Well-Being: An Examination of Families With and Without a Child With an Autism Spectrum Disorder

Nicole Quintero et al. Focus Autism Other Dev Disabl. 2010 Mar.

Abstract

Differences in sibling social, behavioral, and academic adjustment and maternal well-being in families with (n = 20) and without (n = 23) a preschooler with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were explored. Results are interpreted to suggest that mothers of children with autism report more daily hassles, life stress, and depression than mothers without a child with ASD. There were no significant differences in parent and teacher reports of older siblings' social, behavioral, and academic adjustment in families with and without a child with ASD. Sibling behavioral adjustment was, however, significantly related to maternal well-being. Because families with children with ASD often experience more parenting stress and depression, siblings may be more vulnerable to the cumulative risks over time.

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Conflict of interest statement

Reprints: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.nav

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest.

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