web stats
 
   
 
Selected Development Project
 
Project Title

Experiencing stigma when parenting children with autism spectrum disorder: A longitudinal study
教養自閉症孩子的過程中感受到的歧視與污名之追蹤研究
 
Principal Investigator Dr Kevin Chan Ka-shing
 
Area of Research Project
Psychological Studies
 
Project Period
From 1/1/2018 To 31/12/2020
Objectives
  1. To investigate whether experienced discrimination predicts higher levels of harsh parenting;
  2. To investigate whether affiliate stigma mediates the relationship between experienced discrimination and harsh parenting;
  3. To investigate whether psychological flexibility weakens the association between experienced discrimination and harsh parenting.
  
Methods Used

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were recruited from 14 special schools and 4 autism service centers in Hong Kong. They were introduced to the study through leaflets, posters, and announcements at the special schools and service centers. Inclusion criteria were being capable of reading and writing in Chinese and parenting at least one child who had received a confirmed diagnosis of ASD from a licensed clinician. Eligible parents were asked to sign written consent forms and complete questionnaires and interviews. A total of 441 parents participated in this study.
Summary of Findings
Results showed that (1) experienced discrimination was positively associated with harsh parenting; (2) the association of experienced discrimination with harsh parenting was mediated by affiliate stigma; and (3) psychological flexibility attenuated the association of experienced discrimination with harsh parenting.
Impact
This study is one of the first initiatives to conceptualize the relation between stigma and parenting. It has made a major breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms and contexts in which harsh parenting is triggered among parents of children with ASD. Examining the causal mechanisms and protective factors has helped us identify the antecedents of harsh parenting and target them in interventions for these parents. As experienced discrimination and affiliate stigma could increase harsh parenting, practitioners should help parents develop stigma resistance and reduce stigma internalization. As psychological flexibility could mitigate the link between stigma and parenting, practitioners should help parents cultivate psychological flexibility.
Selected Output

Chan, K. K. S., & Leung, D. C. K. (2020). The impact of child autistic symptoms on parental marital relationship: Parenting and coparenting processes as mediating mechanisms. Autism Research. doi:10.1002/aur.2297.

Chan, K. K. S., & Leung, D. C. K. (2020). Linking child autism to parental depression and anxiety: The mediating roles of enacted and felt stigma. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s10803-020-04557-6.
Biography of Principal Investigator
Dr Kevin Chan is an Associate Professor and the Head of Department of Psychology at the Education University of Hong Kong. He is a psychologist researching the stigma of mental disorders and developmental disabilities. He is keen in using research to inform mental health education and mental health promotion. He delivers seminars and workshops to promote the importance of stigma reduction in community. In view of the globally widespread stigma of mental disorders and developmental disabilities, he proposes anti-stigma initiatives to promote social inclusion. His work facilitates the community integration of people with mental disorders and developmental disabilities.
Funding Source
General Research Fund