Impact of Respite Care Services Availability on Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Military Parents who have a Child on the Autism Spectrum.

MENTAL depression risk factors; PILOT projects; RESPITE care; SAMPLE size (Statistics); PARENTS of children with disabilities; INDEPENDENT variables; REGRESSION analysis; RISK assessment; FAMILIES of military personnel; SURVEYS; PSYCHOSOCIAL factors; AUTISM in children; CHI-squared test; ANXIETY; PSYCHOLOGY of military personnel; PSYCHOLOGICAL stress; COMORBIDITY

Objective: Parenting an autistic child can affect a family's well-being. Finding resources is critical. This pilot study looked at respite's impact on parental stress, anxiety, and depression in military families and demographic factors associated with presence of respite care. Method: Participants completed three surveys on anonymous basis, including two standardized surveys measuring parental stress and anxiety/depression. Data analysis used Chi-square test and regression analysis. Results: Parents receiving respite reported less stress and anxiety/depression. Respite utilization was associated with absence of comorbid conditions in child and other variables. Predictor variables for parental stress and anxiety/depression included presence of comorbid conditions in child. Conclusion: Respite care may be linked to lower parental stress, anxiety, and depression, but more study is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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