TY - JOUR
T1 - Time demands of caring for children with autism: What are the implications for maternal mental health
AU - Sawyer, Michael
AU - Bittman, M
AU - La Greca, A
AU - Crettenden, Angela
AU - Harchak, Taylor
AU - Martin, Jon
PY - 2010/5
Y1 - 2010/5
N2 - This study examined the relationship between maternal mental health problems and both caregiving time and experience of time pressure for 216 mothers of children with autism. Data describing caregiving time was obtained using 24-h time-diaries. Standard questionnaires were used to assess time pressure, social support, children's emotional and behavioural problems, and maternal mental health problems. After adjusting for the effect of children's age, maternal social support, and children's behaviour problems, time pressure but not hours of caregiving, had a significant positive relationship with maternal mental health problems. Findings suggest that the quality of homebased care for children with autism may be adversely affected if time pressure experienced by caregivers compromises their mental health and well being.
AB - This study examined the relationship between maternal mental health problems and both caregiving time and experience of time pressure for 216 mothers of children with autism. Data describing caregiving time was obtained using 24-h time-diaries. Standard questionnaires were used to assess time pressure, social support, children's emotional and behavioural problems, and maternal mental health problems. After adjusting for the effect of children's age, maternal social support, and children's behaviour problems, time pressure but not hours of caregiving, had a significant positive relationship with maternal mental health problems. Findings suggest that the quality of homebased care for children with autism may be adversely affected if time pressure experienced by caregivers compromises their mental health and well being.
KW - Autism
KW - Caregiving time
KW - Mental health problems
KW - Mothers
KW - Time use
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77956228139&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10803-009-0912-3
DO - 10.1007/s10803-009-0912-3
M3 - Article
VL - 40
SP - 620
EP - 628
JO - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
JF - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
SN - 0162-3257
IS - 5
ER -