Chair: Jessie Greenlee, Lafayette College
Discussant: Camie Neece, Loma Linda University
Understanding the interplay between parenting stress, mental health, and family dynamics is crucial, especially in families with children who have developmental differences like Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism. Research consistently shows that parenting a child with special needs can lead to elevated stress levels for parents 1,2, impacting both the parents 3,4 and their children’s development and mental health outcomes 5. The studies presented in this symposium address critical gaps in the literature regarding the experiences of parents raising children with FXS and autism, highlighting the significance of mental health and dyadic interactions within families. The first study reveals that mothers of infants with FXS experience significantly higher levels of stress compared to mothers of typically developing (NT) infants and infants with premutation (FXp), underscoring the need for targeted interventions that support both parent and child well-being. The second study emphasizes the relationship between parental distress and sleep duration in children, illustrating how parental stress can directly affect child health outcomes, which is vital for informing practices that enhance family well-being. Finally, the third study sheds light on the adaptive strategies families employ during challenging transitions, such as navigating a turbulent kindergarten year, highlighting the resilience of families and the importance of understanding how parents cope with stressors related to their child’s educational needs. Collectively, these studies contribute to the empirical literature on parental stress and child outcomes in families with developmental disabilities while emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems that address both parental and child mental health. This symposium showcases the critical contributions of early-career scientists who are paving the way for future research and interventions that promote resilience and well-being in these families.
First Presentation: Genetic Liability Versus Environmental Impacts in FMR1 Conditions: Predictors of Parenting Stress in FXp Mothers Differ by Child Genetic Status
Rachel Hantman, University of South Carolina
Kaitlyn B. Cortez, University of South Carolina
Sigan L. Hartley, University of Wisconsin
Amanda J. Fairchild University of South Carolina
Holley P. Arnold, University of South Carolina
Jane E. Roberts, University of South Carolina
Second Presentation: Inconsistencies in the Relationship between Parenting Stress and Sleep Duration in Autistic Youth
Catherine Callaci, Loma Linda University
Sydney Park, Loma Linda University
Sanya Mital, Loma Linda University
Aarti Nair, Loma Linda University
Tori Van R. Dyk, Loma Linda University
Cameron L. Neece, Loma Linda University
Third Presentations: Transitions to Kindergarten Special Education Services during COVID-19: A Longitudinal Investigation into Family Resilience Strategies
Catherine Gaspar, University of Wisconsin
Laudan B. Jahromi, Columbia University
Mary Ellen Rooney, Columbia University
Stephanie Rodriguez, Association to Benefit Children
The ABC-TC Advisory Research Board, Association to Benefit Children