Factors Associated with Mental Health Symptoms among UK Autistic Children and Young People and Their Parents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Autor/inn/en	Palmer, Melanie; Chandler, Susie; Carter Leno, Virginia; Mgaieth, Farah; Yorke, Isabel; Hollocks, Matthew; Pickles, Andrew; Slonims, Vicky; Scott, Stephen; Charman, Tony; Simonoff, Emily
Titel	Factors Associated with Mental Health Symptoms among UK Autistic Children and Young People and Their Parents during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Quelle	In: Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 27 (2023) 7, S.2098-2111 (14 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Palmer, Melanie) ORCID (Carter Leno, Virginia) ORCID (Hollocks, Matthew) ORCID (Charman, Tony) ORCID (Simonoff, Emily)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1362-3613
DOI	10.1177/13623613231153694
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; COVID-19; Pandemics; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Mental Health; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Children; Adolescents; Parents; Stress Variables; Physical Activity Level; Family Environment; United Kingdom (London) + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Autism; Autismus; Psychohygiene; Psychiatrische Symptomatik; Child; Kind; Kinder; Adolescent; Adolescence; Adoleszenz; Jugend; Jugendalter; Jugendlicher; Eltern; Familienmilieu
Abstract	The current study explored the role of pre-existing and pandemic-time child, family or environmental factors in the presentation of mental health symptoms of autistic youth and their parents during the pandemic. Participants were parents/carers of autistic children (Autism Spectrum Treatment and Resilience Cohort, N = 67, M[subscript age] = 9 years) and adolescents (QUEST cohort, N = 112, M[subscript age] = 17 years). Parents completed an online survey that asked about child and parental mental health, infection experience, and changes to education arrangements, family life, housing and finances during the pandemic. Pre-existing measures of mental health, autism and adaptive functioning were also utilised. More engagement and enjoyment in education provision and going outside was associated with better child and parental mental health. In multivariate multiple linear regression models, more pre-existing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms were associated with more behavioural/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms during the pandemic in the pre-adolescent cohort, and with greater emotional symptoms in the adolescent cohort. More pre-existing parental mental health problems were associated with more parental mental health symptoms during the pandemic in both cohorts. Knowledge of pre-existing mental health and pandemic-related stressors may help care planning. Encouraging engagement and enjoyment in education and promoting physical exercise are key intervention targets. Ensuring access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication and support is important, especially if this is managed jointly across school and home. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01