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The Relationship Between Optimism, Coping, and Depressive Symptoms in Hispanic Mothers and Fathers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

This study examined gender differences in the relationship between dispositional optimism, coping, and depressive symptoms of Hispanic mothers (n = 46) and fathers (n = 43) of children with autism spectrum disorder. Coping was hypothesized to mediate the relationship between optimism and depressive symptoms. The results revealed that mothers reported greater depressive symptoms and greater use of positive and support coping than fathers; however, both mothers and fathers reported similar levels of optimism and use of avoidant coping. In addition, positive and avoidant coping strategies mediated the association between optimism and depressive symptoms for both mothers and fathers. Clinical implications for this study include interventions for improving optimistic outlooks as well as interventions that improve parents’ coping skills and therefore reduce negative outcomes.

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Author Contributions

KW conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination and drafted the manuscript; KW participated in the design and interpretation of the data; MA participated in the design and coordination of the study; NE participated in the design and interpretation of data,performed the statistical analysis, and helped to draft the manuscript; LT, MP, and HS helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, TCU Box 298920, Fort Worth, TX, 76129, USA

    Kelcie Willis, Lisa Timmons, Megan Pruitt & Naomi V. Ekas

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA

    Hoa Lam Schneider & Michael Alessandri

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  1. Kelcie Willis
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  2. Lisa Timmons
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  3. Megan Pruitt
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Correspondence to Naomi V. Ekas.

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We would like to thank the families of the Florida Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities for their time.

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Willis, K., Timmons, L., Pruitt, M. et al. The Relationship Between Optimism, Coping, and Depressive Symptoms in Hispanic Mothers and Fathers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 2427–2440 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2776-7

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