ERIC Number: EJ1459628
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1944-7515
EISSN: EISSN-1944-7558
Available Date: N/A
Caregivers and Coping: Well-Being, Depression, and Coping Strategies among Caregivers of Young Adults with Developmental Disability
Hannah Singer; Elaine B. Clarke; Hillary K. Schiltz; Catherine Lord
American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, v130 n1 p41-62 2025
This 10-year study followed 134 caregivers of young adults with autism and intellectual disability, examining the effects of caregivers' coping strategies, sociodemographic features, and young adult symptomatology on caregiver well-being and depression. Lower caregiver education and higher young adult externalizing behaviors predicted lower well-being and higher depression among caregivers. Caregivers who were Black or mixed-race experienced higher depression than White caregivers. All five coping strategies investigated predicted changes in caregiver well-being and/or depression, with some effects moderated by young adult externalizing behaviors and sociodemographic features. Notably, higher use of positive coping among caregivers of adults with high externalizing behaviors predicted higher caregiver well-being and lower depression. Findings highlight the importance of effective coping strategies for improving caregiver mental health.
Descriptors: Caregivers, Coping, Developmental Disabilities, Young Adults, Caregiver Attitudes, Caregiver Child Relationship, Well Being, Depression (Psychology), Longitudinal Studies, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability, Caregiver Training, Background, Racial Differences, Behavior Problems, Adolescents, Stress Variables, Stress Management
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. P.O. Box 1897, Lawrence, KS 66044-1897. Tel: 785-843-1235; Fax: 785-843-1274; e-mail: AJMR@allenpress.com; Web site: https://meridian.allenpress.com/aaidd
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A