Parenting with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06502054

LPEK-0765

Details and patient eligibility

About

In many individuals, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is recognized and diagnosed late in adolescence or even in adulthood, despite the presence of long-standing impairments and distress. One area that has received little attention so far is research and interventions in clinical practice that relate to the experienced realities of parenthood for autistic adults or offer support in this context. The few existing research findings in this field suggest that parents with ASD might face specific challenges. At the same time, there is a lack of empirical research on the experiences autistic adults have with parenthood, whether they perceive a need for specific support services, and, if so, what those services should look like. To fill this research gap, this study aims to examine the mental health, needs, and strengths of parents with ASD. Particular focus will be given to parental stress and difficulties in the areas of mentalization and emotion regulation, which can increase the risk of psychological comorbidities. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study will investigate to what extent an already established parenting program or an adaptation thereof might be suitable to address the specific requirements of autistic parents and enhance their parenting skills.

Enrollment: 184 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

In- and exclusion criteria for the study population:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Parents who fulfill the main diagnosis of ASD, including atypical autism (ICD-10: F84.1) and Asperger syndrome (ICD-10: F84.5)
• Age ≥ 18 years
• Have a child aged 0 to 6 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Below-average general cognitive ability (according to clinical impression)
• Lack of German language skills
• Severe visual or hearing impairment (uncorrected)
• Serious neurological and psychiatric illnesses (e.g., epilepsy, psychoses)
• Acute suicidal tendencies (according to clinical findings)

Eligibility Criteria for the Control Group

Inclusion Criteria:

• Parents without a lifetime main diagnosis of a psychiatric illness (ICD-10-GM-2016: F10 - F69)
• Age ≥ 18 years
• Have a child aged 0 to 6 years
• Matched to the study group in terms of age and gender

Exclusion Criteria:

• Above-mentioned psychiatric diagnoses
• Below-average general cognitive ability
• Lack of German language skills
• Severe impairment of vision or hearing (not corrected)

Trial design

184 participants in 2 patient groups

Autistic parents

Description:

Parents who fulfill the main diagnosis of ASD, which includes atypical autism (ICD-10: F84.1) and Asperger syndrome (ICD-10: F84.5), who are ≥ 18 years old and have a child aged 0 to 6 years are included.

Non-autistic parents

Description:

Parents are included who do not have a lifetime main diagnosis of a psychiatric illness (ICD-10-GM-2016: F10 - F69), who are ≥ 18 years old and have a child aged 0 to 6 years.