title: Effects on resilience of caregivers of persons with autism spectrum disorder: the role of positive cognitions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Approximately 2.8 million people in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Family caregivers manage many aspects of their care, which is demanding, overwhelming, and can affect their mental health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effects of caregiver burden (risk factor) and positive cognitions (protective factors) on resourcefulness (resilience indicator) in 95 caregivers of persons with ASD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive cognitions explained 32% of the variance in resourcefulness, F(1, 93) = 44.49, p < .001, and as positive cognitions increased, caregivers' resourcefulness increased. A substantial drop in the beta weight of caregiver burden from B = -.36 to -.04 when positive cognitions was entered the equation suggested that positive cognitions mediated the effect of caregiver burden on resourcefulness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results support resilience theory and suggest a need for developing interventions to strengthen positive thinking among caregivers of persons with ASD.
authors.affiliation: Marquette University College of Nursing, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA. abir.bekhet@marquette.edu
authors.forename: Abir K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bekhet
authors.forename: Norah L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Jaclene A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Zauszniewski
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult