Citation

George-Levi S, Laslo-Roth R, Ben Yaakov L. Fam. Process 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Family Process Institute, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/famp.12877

PMID

36945767

Abstract

Fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might be at increased risk of becoming lonely. In the current study, we explored the differences in loneliness between fathers of children with and without ASD and identified interpersonal and familial resources (social support, family cohesion, and family adaptability) that might be related to levels of loneliness. Using a cross-sectional design, 348 fathers (of 114 children with ASD and 234 without) completed a series of questionnaires. Fathers of children with ASD reported higher levels of loneliness and lower levels of social support and family cohesion. A moderated mediation model indicated that the interaction between social support and family cohesion mediated the association between ASD group (i.e., ASD vs. non-ASD) and fathers' loneliness.

FINDINGS suggest the importance of interpersonal and familial resources (e.g., perceived social support and family cohesion) for family members at risk of loneliness.

Language: en

Keywords

autism spectrum disorder; loneliness; social support; fathers; family cohesion