Psychosocial Predictors of Family Communication, Cohesion and Adaptability of Mothers and Fathers of a Child With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Families of children on the autism spectrum frequently experience heightened stress levels and psychological difficulties. David Olson’s Circumplex Family Model, as applied to research on dysfunctional family dynamics, appears to respond well to the growing need for understanding and therapy for such families. This study aims to identify psychosocial predictors of family communication, cohesion, and adaptability in mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorders in the area of the following personal resources: post-traumatic growth, sense of gratitude, and coping styles. The study uses a diagnostic survey method combining FACES III to assess family cohesion, Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale, Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, GQ-6 Gratitude Questionnaire, Mini-COPE to assess stress coping mechanisms, and an interview questionnaire. The results indicate a complex structure of cohesion among fathers, shaped by diverse aspects of interpersonal relationships and self-perception. Mothers, conversely, show strong links between cohesion, coping mechanisms, and emotional support. The study revealed that fathers and mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders differ in terms of factors affecting their family cohesion, adaptability, and communication. Consequently, supportive interventions should be tailored individually, considering predictive variations in the parenting experiences of these mothers and fathers.