Being the mother of an autistic child: A comprehensive study of mother–child relationships

Ertekin, Z., Leblanc, C.-A., Périard-Larivée, D., Dubois-Comtois, K., Stipanicic, A., Cyr, C., Couture, M. M. et Bussières, È.-L. (2026). Being the mother of an autistic child: A comprehensive study of mother–child relationships. Research in Autism, 130 . Article 202753. ISSN 3050-6573 3050-6565 DOI 10.1016/j.reia.2025.202753

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Résumé

Abstract

Aims
This study examines mother–child relationships and parenting stress in the context of autism using self-report and observed measures. It compares dyads of mothers with autistic and mothers with non-autistic children in terms of perceived conflict and closeness, parenting stress, and observed mother–child interaction quality. It also examines the role of autism characteristics and the moderating role of parenting stress within these groups on mother–child relationships.

Method
The sample included 66 autistic and 55 non-autistic preschoolers and their mothers. Questionnaires were administered online and through structured phone interviews to assess autism characteristics, and interactions were video-recorded via Zoom.

Results
Dyads including autistic children exhibited higher levels of perceived conflict and lower perceived closeness and observed interaction quality compared to dyads with non-autistic children. Mothers with autistic children reported significantly higher levels of parenting stress across all three subscales of the Parental Stress Index (parental distress, dysfunctional interaction, and difficult child) compared to mothers with non-autistic children. Parenting stress moderated the group difference in perceived closeness: parents with low stress and an autistic child reported less closeness than those with a non-autistic child, whereas at high stress levels this difference was not observed. Parenting stress was positively associated with perceived conflict regardless of group. Additionally, autism characteristics were negatively associated with perceived closeness and positively associated with dysfunctional interactions.

Conclusion
This study suggests that perceived relationships and observed interaction quality vary between dyads with and without an autistic child. In addition, autism characteristics and parenting stress play roles in understanding mother–child relationships.

Type de document:	Article
Mots-clés libres:	Autism Interactions Mother–child relationship Parental stress
Date de dépôt:	06 mai 2026 17:04
Dernière modification:	06 mai 2026 17:04
Version du document déposé:	Post-print (version corrigée et acceptée)
URI:	https://depot-e.uqtr.ca/id/eprint/12896

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