Relational Uncertainty and Taking Conflict Personally: Comparing Parents of Children with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Publisher: Springer Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 7904301 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1573-3432 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 01623257 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Autism Dev Disord Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: <2006- >: New York, NY : Springer
Original Publication: New York, Plenum Press.

Self Report* ; Uncertainty*; Autism Spectrum Disorder/*psychology ; Family Conflict/*psychology ; Parents/*psychology; Adult ; Aged ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/complications ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Previous research suggests that parents of children with ASD experience greater marital conflict than parents of children with neurotypical development (NTD). This study examines how relational uncertainty is associated with taking conflict personally among parents of children with or without ASD. Parents of children with ASD (N = 298) and parents of children with NTD (N = 316) completed an online survey. They reported their relational uncertainty, recalled a conflict related to their child, and completed measures of taking conflict personally. The study provides evidence that spouses' experiences of relational uncertainty may be associated with conflict about topics related to their child. In addition, experiences of self uncertainty may have a greater impact for the parents of children with ASD than parents of children with NTD.

Keywords: ASD; Marital conflict; Relational turbulence; Relational uncertainty; Taking conflict personally

Date Created: 20200417 Date Completed: 20210208 Latest Revision: 20210208

20231215

10.1007/s10803-020-04492-6

32297125