Abstract

This present study explores the relationship between the executive functioning of children with ADHD, ASD, LD and neurotypical development, and corresponding parental stress and parental coping. The BRIEF-P, COPE Inventory, and the Impact on Family Scale were used to measure overall child executive functioning, parental coping, and parental stress, respectively. Supporting my hypothesis, results showed differences between groups in each BRIEF-P subcategory measured for executive function. No overall differences between groups were seen in the COPE but there were individual group differences in the COPE subcategories, showing that there were differences in planning and acceptance coping between parents with children in the different groups. Additionally, results did show differences between groups and total stress scores, with the parents of ASD children scoring the highest, which supported my third hypothesis. Lastly, significant correlational results were seen in the neurotypical group that were not seen in the ASD, ADHD, and LD groups. The ASD group had more negative correlations between EF and coping, while the ADHD group had more positive correlations between EF and coping; however, the LD group had no significant correlations between EF and coping. Future studies are needed to further investigate how parental stress and coping changes as the child’s symptomology and executive functioning changes with age, as well as how underlying behavioral and personality factors may cause differences in the correlations seen with the ADHD and ASD groups.

Advisor

Stavnezer, Amy Jo

Department

Neuroscience

Keywords

ADHD, ASD, LD, parental stress, parental coping, executive function

Publication Date

2019

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2019 Grace Minnes