Parental attributions regarding sleep problems of children with an autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome, and clinical research portfolio

MacQuarrie, Jane (2009) Parental attributions regarding sleep problems of children with an autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome, and clinical research portfolio. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Full text available as:
[thumbnail of 2009MacQuarrieDClinPsy.pdf] PDF
Download (1MB)
Printed Thesis Information: https://eleanor.lib.gla.ac.uk/record=b2938991

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate any difference between the attributions parents made about their child’s sleep problem, in parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and parents of children with Down Syndrome. Seventy-six parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and fifty-two parents of children with Down Syndrome completed a series of questionnaires on-line, regarding their child’s sleep problem, their beliefs about their child’s sleep problem and the parent’s level of anxiety and depression. A significant difference was found between the groups on four of the causal items; other health problem, child’s emotional state, child’s personality and diet. Parents of children with Down Syndrome showed a higher level of agreement that their child’s sleep problem could be attributed to another health problem compared to parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder showed a higher level of agreement that their child’s sleep problem could be attributed to their child’s personality, their child’s emotional state and their child’s diet compared to parents of children with DS. There was a high level of agreement across all parents that their child’s disability was a causal factor to their sleep problem and differences in attributions may reflect characteristics of the child’s diagnosis. The results are consistent with previous findings that parents view disability as an important causal factor to their child’s sleep problem and suggest a possible overlap in parent’s views of their child’s sleep problem and views of their disability.

Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
Qualification Level: Doctoral
Keywords: autism/autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, attribution, illness perception, sleep, developmental disability
Subjects: R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing
Supervisor's Name: Ellis, Dr. Jason
Date of Award: 2009
Depositing User: Ms Jane E MacQuarrie
Unique ID: glathesis:2009-1245
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 19 Jan 2010
Last Modified: 10 Dec 2012 13:36
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/1245

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year