Parenting stress in mothers of preschool children with autism

A comparison between Japan and the U.S. using a qualitative analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare factors associated with parenting stress in mothers of preschool children with ASD from Japan and the U.S. Twenty-three Japanese mothers and 24 U.S. mothers were interviewed related to their stress in raising children with ASD, and their responses were coded using the subscales in the original PSI （Parenting Stress Index） as categories. Our findings suggested that mothers in both countries experienced high stress related to their children’s problem behaviors and acceptance of their children’s autistic or developmental characteristics. The main differences between the two countries were that U.S. mothers reported very high stress related to parental role restrictions, influenced by their cultural orientation of independence and human agency （i.e., they perceived limited freedom caused by caring for their children） whereas for Japanese mothers, stress was influenced by a group-oriented culture that values conformity （i.e., being different is not easily accepted in school settings）, and the expectation that mothers must be selflessly devoted to their children.