Exploring the Influence of Primary Caregiver Psychosocial Factors on Perceived Child Impairment in ADHD and ASD: A Correlational Study

Abstract

The current research identified how the psychosocial characteristics of the primary caregivers and the perceived child impairment among caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, namely Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder, are related. A cross-sectional correlational research design was used on primary caregivers (n=30). Perceived child functional impairment was measured using standardized self-report measures of caregiver resilience, stress, burden, family support, family strain, and perceived child functional impairment. The results showed that there was a negative, significant relationship between caregiver resilience, family support, and perceived child impairment, and a positive, significant relationship between caregiver stress, burdens, and family strain and perceived child impairment. Caregiver Psychosocial variables demonstrated significant intercorrelationscaregiver resilience and family support were positively associated with each other and inversely associated with caregiver stress, caregiver burden, and family strain. The results imply the significance of caregivers' psychosocial status and family condition in shaping perceptions of child impairment, as well as the applicability of caregiver-based and family-oriented interventions.