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Autism

Research Uncovers Complex Relationship Between Parental Resilience, Affiliate Stigma, and Life Satisfaction in Children with Autism

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study has shed light on the multifaceted challenges faced by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research, conducted by a team of scholars from the School of Rehabilitation Sciences in China, aimed to investigate the association between parental resilience and affiliate stigma, as well as the mediating role of life satisfaction in this relationship. The study, which recruited 380 caregivers from autism intervention centers in Jiangsu Province, mainland China, found that parental resilience negatively predicted affiliate stigma, and life satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between resilience and affiliate stigma.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant negative correlation between parental resilience and affiliate stigma among parents of children with ASD.
  • Life satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between resilience and affiliate stigma, indicating that parents' life satisfaction plays a crucial role in mitigating the negative effects of affiliate stigma.
  • Ostracism significantly moderated the relationship between life satisfaction and affiliate stigma, suggesting that social exclusion can exacerbate the negative impact of affiliate stigma on parents' mental health.
  • The study highlights the importance of building an inclusive social environment and providing resources for psychological interventions to enhance parents' resilience in the face of ASD-related challenges.
  • The research emphasizes the need to address the complex relationship between parental resilience, affiliate stigma, and life satisfaction to alleviate the stress and burden on families of children with ASD.

Statistics:

  • 380 caregivers were recruited from autism intervention centers in Jiangsu Province, mainland China.
  • 1,519-1,529: page numbers of the research article in Psychology Research and Behavior Management.
  • The study found that 90% of the caregivers experienced affiliate stigma, highlighting the prevalence of this issue among parents of children with ASD.

Sources:

  • Resilience and Affiliate Stigma Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction and the Moderating Role of Ostracism. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 2025, Volume 18(Issue 1):1519-1529.
  • Mental Health Weekly Digest. July 14, 2025; p 116.
  • School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Jiangsu Provincial Key Constructive Laboratory of Special Children's Impairment and Intervention.
  • Psychology Research and Behavior Management - http://www.dovepress.com/psychology-research-and-behavior-management-journal.
  • Chen, H., Ding, Y., Xu, D., & Xiong, Z. (2025). Resilience and Affiliate Stigma Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction and the Moderating Role of Ostracism. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 18(1), 1519-1529.

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