The Multidimensional Factors That Influence the Family Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Mixed Methods Study

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have complex health needs and co-occurring medical and psychiatric diagnoses. Using the Family Management Style Framework, this convergent parallel mixed methods (QUAN + qual) study: (a) examined the intersection of Ability and Effort to define family management patterns and (b) evaluated the influence of child (ASD-related behaviors, feeding difficulties, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, aggression, self-injury), caregiver (anxiety, depression), and family (social support, unmet social needs) factors on family management pattern. Fifty-six primary caregivers of children with ASD completed the quantitative strand of the study. A nested sample of 30 caregivers participated in semi-structured interviews. The four patterns of family management were similar to those previously identified. Data from quantitative measures and interviews converged to identify that specific child characteristics (ASD behaviors, sleep disturbances, aggression, self-injury) and the caregiver's perceived social support influence family management. Descriptions of family management patterns and their correlates are important to guiding family nursing for this population.