Systematic review of the relationship between autism stigma and informal caregiver mental health

Chris Papadopoulos
,
Annemarie Lodder
,
Georgina Constantinou
,
Gurch Randhawa

Research Output: Other contribution Other contribution Peer-review

Open access

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 Good Health and Well

Abstract

Families play a crucial role in determining the mental health of the autistic individual(s) they are caring for. However, the stigma associated with autism can impair caregiver health. To investigate this, empirical evidence pertaining to stigma's impact on informal caregivers' mental health was systematically reviewed. All twelve included studies (n = 1442 informal caregivers) consistently reported the impact of autism related stigma upon caregiver mental health to be significant, meaningful and complex. A new theoretical framework describing the relationship between stigma and caregiver mental health is constructed. Moderating variables include those both changeable through intervention (e.g. hopelessness, self-esteem, self-compassion) and not changeable (gender, culture, financial burden and time since diagnosis). Implications and recommendations for professionals, interventions and future research are proposed.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Other contribution Other contribution Peer-review

Original language

English

Publication milestones

Published - 19/12/2018

Publication status

Published - 19/12/2018

Volume

Publisher

Springer, Japan, India, Australia, Germany, United States, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, China, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Brazil, France, Singapore