Psychological health of mothers and siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder during COVID-19 pandemic: New evidence in Italian families

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Psychological challenges are well recognized in families with a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Instead, less is known about the effects of traumatic scenarios, such as COVID-19, on the psychological health of these families. The main aim of this study was to examine the psychological health of both mothers and typically developing (TD) siblings of children with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also investigated the relationship between mothers’ psychological resources and their children’s psychological well-being. METHOD: The sample included 52 mothers and their children: 15 mothers with one child with ASD and at least one TD child (ASD-siblings group) and 37 mothers with one or more TD children (TD control group). The data were collected using an online platform; four standardized questionnaires (GAD-7, BDI-II, CD-RISC 25 and CBCL) were administered. RESULTS: The analyses revealed more internalizing and total behavioral symptoms in the siblings of children with ASD, compared to the TD control group. Regarding the mothers, we did not find differences in depression and anxious symptoms between the two groups. However, the mothers of children with ASD showed a lower resilience than mothers of TD children. Moreover, the psychological well-being of the children was related with the mothers’ anxiety in the ASD-siblings group. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our data show that the COVID-19 outbreak may have been particularly challenging for siblings of children with ASD, and highlight the importance of intensifying the psychological support to these families. (www.actabiomedica.it)