Effect of Sensory-Based Behaviors on Maternal Stress and the Mother–Child Relationship

PURPOSE: Disruptive behaviors in children, independent of other diagnoses, have consistently been shown to be primary predictors of maternal stress, eroded quality in mother–child relationships, and ultimately reduced family quality of life (QOL). Increased severity of maladaptive behaviors predicts lower QOL in family members (Ben-Sasson et al., 2013; Whitney & Smith, 2014). Strong mother–child cohesion is a protective factor for the child for a broad range of outcome variables, including the ability to benefit from clinical interventions. This critical relationship is strained when mothers endure high levels of stress. Moreover, families report significant limitations in daily routines, community participation, and social relatedness because of their child’s problems with self-modulation and extreme attempts to self-regulate in the face of environmental challenges (Schaaf, 2010).

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit disruptive behaviors, and studies consistently report ASD as a primary predictor of maternal stress, eroded mother–child relationships, and poor family QOL mainly because of the disruptive behaviors associated with the primary diagnosis of autism (Lee et al., 2008). ASD and sensory processing difficulties are highly dependent (Schaaf, 2010), yet the effects of sensory processing disorder (SPD) on maternal stress, independent of autism, have not been examined. This study compared the effects of SPD independent of ASD on maternal stress, quality of the mother–child relationship, and overall family QOL.

METHOD: This comparative design study examined two groups of children with a primary diagnosis of (1) ASD or (2) SPD independent of any other diagnosis. For each group, the dependent variables of interest, maternal stress and quality of the mother–child relationship, were measured using the Parenting Stress Index Short Form. Mothers reported the primary diagnosis of their child.

RESULTS: Mothers of children with SPD reported comparable maternal stress, lower quality of the mother–child relationship, and lower family QOL compared with mothers of children with ASD. No significant differences were found between groups in maternal stress and quality of the mother–child interaction, F(2, 72) = .867, p = .425.

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study encourage reflective inquiry regarding the role of sensory processing in family systems and future study of interventions aimed at helping mothers manage their child’s sensory-based behaviors. Future studies are encouraged to include outcome measures of maternal stress, quality of the mother–child relationship, and family QOL. Occupational therapy practitioners should have a comprehensive understanding of research methodology and current literature in the areas of SPD, disruptive behaviors, and ASD.

References

Ben-Sasson, A., Soto, T. W., Martínez-Pedraza, F., & Carter, A. S. (2013). Early sensory over-responsivity in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders as a predictor of family impairment and parenting stress. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 54, 846–853. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12035

Lee, L.-C., Harrington, R. A., Louie, B. B., & Newschaffer, C. J. (2008). Children with autism: Quality of life and parental concerns. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 1147–1160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0491-0

Schaaf, R. C. (2010). Interventions that address sensory dysfunction for individuals with autism spectrum disorders: Preliminary evidence for the superiority of sensory integration compared to other sensory approaches. In B. Reichow, P. Doehring, D. Cicchetti, & F. Volkmar (Eds.), Evidence-based practices and treatments for children with autism (pp. 245–273). Boston: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6975-0_9

Whitney, R. V., & Smith, G. (2014). Emotional disclosure through journal writing: Telehealth intervention for maternal stress and mother–child relationships. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 3735–3745. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2332-2