Index Description

The Autism Parenting Stress Index (APSI-13) is an assessment tool designed to measure the stress experienced by parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It consists of 13 questions that cover various aspects of parental stress related to the challenges of raising a child with autism.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data collected through the APSI-13 are used to identify areas where parents experience the greatest stress and provide insights into potential support interventions. The analysis may involve comparing stress levels among different groups of parents or evaluating the effectiveness of intervention programs.

Objective

The primary objective of the APSI-13 is to offer researchers and healthcare professionals a reliable tool for measuring parental stress in families with children diagnosed with ASD. This information can be used to develop support strategies that address the needs of parents and their families.

Calibration

The APSI-13 is scored using a Likert scale, where participants rate each question based on their degree of agreement or disagreement. The total scores indicate the level of stress experienced by parents and help identify the most stressful factors affecting families.

Bibliography

Silva, L. M. T., & Schalock, M. (2012). Autism Parenting Stress Index: Initial psychometric evidence. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(6), 1228-1237.
Davis, N. O., & Carter, A. S. (2008). Parenting stress in mothers and fathers of toddlers with autism spectrum disorders: Associations with child characteristics. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(7), 1278-1291.
Lai, W. W., Goh, T. J., Oei, T. P., & Sung, M. (2015). Coping and well-being in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(8), 2582-2593.
Hastings, R. P., & Brown, T. (2002). Behavior problems of children with autism, parental self-efficacy, and mental health. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 107(3), 222-232.
Karst, J. S., & Van Hecke, A. V. (2012). Parent and family impact of autism spectrum disorders: A review and proposed model for intervention evaluation. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 15(3), 247-277.