Abstract

Researchers commonly report that parenting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is more stressful than raising children with other developmental disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the gender differences, total parental stress, positive perceptions of parental stress, and cohabitation status of parents with children diagnosed with ASD. A quasi-experimental design was employed with 169 participants from a convenience sample who were administered the Parental Stress Scale (PSS). A significant difference in the reported positive perception of parental stress between males and females was found. Males reported significantly higher positive perceptions of parental stress when compared to females’ positive perceptions of parental stress. Total parental stress and the cohabitation status of parents with children diagnosed with ASD did not show statistical differences; however, these findings will guide future research to benefit parents of children diagnosed with ASD.