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The Actor–Partner Effects of Parenting Stress on Quality of Life Among Parents of Children with ASD: The Mediating Role of Mental Quality of Life

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Abstract

The present study investigated the actor–partner effects of parenting stress (PS) on quality of life (QoL) among parents (96 couples) of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data were collected using the QoL Scale and the PS Index. Structural equation modeling was also utilized to test the hypothesis. The results revealed the effects of PS in each parent on mental QoL of that parent. Maternal PS further shaped physical QoL in mothers. However, PS in one parent did not influence QoL of his or her partner. Accordingly, mental QoL had a mediating role between PS and physical QoL. It was ultimately suggested to take account of QoL among parents in addition to the treatment of children with ASD.

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Acknowledgments

The study is supported and funded by Bushehr University of Medical Sciences as part of a MS thesis. The authors hereby extend their sincere gratitude to all fathers and mothers who cooperatively contributed to this study.

Funding

The study is supported and funded by Bushehr University of Medical Sciences as part of a MS thesis.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Islamic Republic of Iran

    Hakimeh Vahedparast & Faeze Jahanpour

  2. Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Islamic Republic of Iran

    Saeedeh Khalafi

  3. Department of Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Islamic Republic of Iran

    Razieh Bagherzadeh

Authors
  1. Hakimeh Vahedparast
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  2. Saeedeh Khalafi
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  3. Faeze Jahanpour
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  4. Razieh Bagherzadeh
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Contributions

HV, FJ and RB contributed substantially to the conception and designed of the study. SK contributed to the data collection. RB analyzed the data. HV and SK wrote the manuscript. RB prepared final version of manuscript. All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the research.

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Correspondence to Razieh Bagherzadeh.

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Vahedparast, H., Khalafi, S., Jahanpour, F. et al. The Actor–Partner Effects of Parenting Stress on Quality of Life Among Parents of Children with ASD: The Mediating Role of Mental Quality of Life. J Autism Dev Disord 52, 142–149 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04919-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04919-8

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