Open Access

ARTICLE

The Relationship between Parenting Stress and Parenting Burnout in Parents of Children with Autism: The Chain Mediating Role of Social Support and Coping Strategies

Jun Zhang^1,#,*, Li Wang^1,#, Shan Liu¹, Yurong Yang², Jingyi Fan³, Yijia Zhang¹

1 School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
2 China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation 731 Hospital, Beijing, 100074, China
3 Pediatric Department, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China

* Corresponding Author: Jun Zhang. Email:
# Jun Zhang and Li Wang are co-first authors

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mental Health Promotion and Psychosocial Support in Vulnerable Populations: Challenges, Strategies and Interventions)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2025, 27(3), 287-302. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.060064

Received 23 October 2024; Accepted 13 February 2025; Issue published 31 March 2025

Abstract

Background: Parents of children with autism are susceptible to parenting burnout due to tremendous parenting burden and parenting challenges. Parenting burnout has a detrimental effect on both children with autism and their parents. However, the underlying mechanisms that lead to parenting burnout remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parenting stress and parenting burnout, along with the serial mediation effect of social support and coping strategies in the context of families with autistic children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 231 parents of autistic children in four autism facilities located in central Hubei province. Data were collected through the Parental Stress Index, Social Support Rating Scale, Simplified Coping Strategies Questionnaire, and Caregiver Burnout Assessment Questionnaire. Results: Parenting stress and burnout status were: 72.3% of parents reported high-stress levels, 16.9% experienced risks for parenting burnout, and 19.9% were currently experiencing burnout. Both social support and coping strategies played partial mediating roles in the relationship between parental stress and burnout, forming a serial mediation effect. Conclusion: Parenting stress is a risk factor for parenting burnout. Social support and coping strategies play a chain mediating role between parenting stress and parenting burnout, which may act as the underlying mechanisms. The study offers insights into potential intervention points for reducing parenting burnout. Future efforts are needed to devote to parenting stress, social support and coping strategy to enhance the psychological well-being of parents with autistic children.

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Keywords

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