Influences of parental intimacy and self-disclosure on dyadic coping among parents raising school-aged children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract

The study examined the effects of partners' intimacy and disclosure levels on their own and their spouses' experiences of relational uncertainty, changes in interdependence, and relational turbulence. A total of 201 married couples parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who was beginning school or who had started school in the past 6 months completed three questionnaires and provided demographic information. Only scores for parental disclosure showed no correlation (<i>r</i> = 0.097, <i>P</i> > 0.05), whereas the other variables were correlated. Only parental intimacy demonstrated a correlation (<i>r</i> = 0.154, <i>P</i> < 0.05). Parental dyadic coping was correlated with parental disclosure (mothers: <i>r</i> = 0.448, <i>P</i> < 0.01; fathers: <i>r</i> = 0.445, <i>P</i> < 0.01). The mode Actor-Partner Interdependence Model examined the effect of overall intimacy on dyadic coping and presented a qualified fit: (χ2) =76.466, comparative fit index = 0.99, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.027. The partner effect of fathers' intimacy on mothers' dyadic coping was statistically significant (B = 0.344, <i>P</i> < 0.001), whereas mothers' intimacy was not significantly related to fathers' dyadic coping (B = 0.64, <i>P</i> > 0.24). The findings indicate that parental intimacy and self-disclosure within dyadic coping influence certain relationship qualities. Furthermore, individuals' perceptions of their spouse's dyadic coping abilities were a stronger predictor of relational turbulence than self-reported coping. These results offer important insights into how married couples can safeguard their relationship during their child's health-related transitions.