title: Factors Mediating Dysphoric Moods and Help Seeking Behaviour Among Australian Parents of Children with Autism.
abstract: This study compared levels of state affect, dysphoric mood, and parenting sense of competence in Australian parents of children with or without autism. The effects of personality and location on the parents' experience were also examined, while controlling for current affect. Possible relationships among personality, location factors and help-seeking behavior were also explored in parents of children with autism. Prior findings of higher dysphoric mood levels in parents of children with autism were supported, as was the positive correlation between dysphoric moods and Neuroticism levels. Parenting Sense of Competence did not differ across locations, and there were no parent type by location interactions. Access to services among parents of a child with autism did not moderate dysphoria levels.
authors: School of Health and Human Sciences, M.G.53, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia. matthew.snow@scu.edu.au.
authors: Matthew
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1356-1734
authors: M
authors: Snow
authors: School of Health and Human Sciences, M.G.53, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D001315:Australia; D001321:Autistic Disorder; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Australian mental health; Autism spectrum disorder; Depression; Parenting sense of competency