Testing a model predicting distress in caregivers of children with ASD and/or ADHD

Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience heightened levels of distress. Further, research on Model A has demonstrated that caregiver-centric variables are significant predictors of distress in caregivers of children with ASD (Bones et al., 2019; Falk et al., 2014), ADHD, and typically developing children (Scott, 2018). The current study aimed to replicate this research, and further, to validate Model A in caregivers of children with comorbid ASD and ADHD. Participants were 205 caregivers of 5- to 17-year-old children with ASD (n = 41), ADHD (n = 44), comorbid ASD and ADHD (n = 53), or who were typically developing (n = 67). Participants completed an online questionnaire with measures of caregiver distress, socio-economic support, maladaptive caregiver cognitions, child externalised behaviour, and child social and interpersonal deficits. Using hierarchical regression analyses, Model A was validated by significantly predicting distress in caregivers of children with ADHD, and comorbid ASD and ADHD. Results indicated that child social and interpersonal deficits, social support, and parental locus of control predicted caregiver distress to the greatest extent in each group. It is argued that caregiver distress be considered a key target for improving outcomes for families impacted by ASD and/or ADHD