Social anxiety in parents of high-functioning children with autism and Asperger syndrome.
We evaluated social anxiety (SA) symptoms in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs; N = 131) and community parents (N = 597) using the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI). SA was significantly more common in ASD than control mothers (15.6 vs. 6.7 %) and more equal between the ASD and control fathers (3.3 vs. 4.8 %). The ASD mothers scored significantly higher than control mothers on all SPAI scales. ASD fathers scored significantly higher than control fathers on the somatic, cognitive, avoidance and agoraphobic symptoms of SA. It is of clinical import to support ASD parents' well-being as their psychiatric features may contribute greatly to their children's emotional development and the well-being of the whole family.
Department of Child Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O.B. 26, 90029, Oulu, Finland. Sanna.kuusikko-gauffin@oulu.fi
Sanna
S
Kuusikko-Gauffin
Rachel
R
Pollock-Wurman
Marja-Leena
ML
Mattila
Katja
K
Jussila
Hanna
H
Ebeling
David
D
Pauls
Irma
I
Moilanen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires