Insights into the emotional grounds of diverse parenting experiences: risk and protective factors of psychological distress in mothers of children with autism, Down syndrome, and typical development

ObjectivesThe present study aimed to investigate the role of parental self-efficacy, parental stress, perceived child performance, perceived medical support, and perceived social support in predicting psychological distress among mothers of typical children, children diagnosed with ASD, and children diagnosed with Down syndrome.MethodsThe sample consisted of 375 Romanian mothers (age range: 22 to 67, M = 40.35, SD = 7.64) of children with autism (N = 134), Down syndrome (N = 78), or no diagnosis, i.e. typical children (N = 163). Participants completed self-reporting scales measuring the variables of interest using a web-based approach.ResultsThe findings indicated that, regardless of the mother's status (child with autism/Down syndrome/no diagnosis), psychological distress was significantly predicted by parental stress. Also, the mothers of children with ASD reported significantly higher psychological distress than those of children diagnosed with Down syndrome.ConclusionsMothers of children diagnosed with ASD might be particularly vulnerable to experiencing significant levels of psychological distress. In this regard, the development of parental self-efficacy and reduction of parental stress through interventions might contribute to improving the mental well-being of parents of children with special needs.