Term of Award
Summer 2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Public Health in Epidemiology (Dr.P.H.)
Document Type and Release Option
Dissertation (restricted to Georgia Southern)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health Sciences
Committee Chair
Kelly Sullivan
Committee Member 1
Jian Zhang
Committee Member 2
Joanne Chopak-Foss
Committee Member 3
Logan Cowan
Abstract
Elevated parental stress among caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is well documented. However, characteristics associated with higher stress and the role of telehealth parent training programs on parental stress have not been widely examined. The lack of evidence-based information is more evident among underserved populations; hence, this study aimed to determine the predictors of parental stress and well-being and evaluate factors associated with the completion of a telehealth autism parent training (APT) program in rural Georgia.
One hundred one self-reported questionnaires were administered among caregivers of children with ASD, and 68.32% reported low parental stress, while 69.31% reported low well-being. The findings showed that higher parental stress was associated with shorter sleep duration (p=.03), the presence of anxiety or depression among caregivers (p=.02), and more child behavior challenges (p=.02). Shorter sleep duration (p<.001), anxiety or depression (p=.02), high blood pressure (p=.005), and more child behavioral challenges (p=.01) were associated with lower caregiver well-being. Longer sleep duration was associated with APT completion (p=.01).
The study offered insight into parental stress and well-being predictors (sleep duration, caregivers’ comorbidities, and child behaviors) and emphasized the need for further examination of the effectiveness of telehealth training programs on parental stress and further investigation of attrition bias presented in studies of this population.
Recommended Citation
Nikaj, Aurela, "Parental Stress and Well-Being of Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Southeast Georgia" (2024).
Research Data and Supplementary Material
Yes
