Psychopathological symptoms in parents and siblings of people on the autism spectrum: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This research looked at the mental health of parents and siblings of autistic people. It found that family members, especially mothers, often experience depression and other emotional difficulties. Mothers of autistic children showed higher levels of distress compared to mothers of children with other developmental conditions. The researchers recommend that healthcare providers check on family mental health as part of caring for autistic individuals.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined psychopathological symptoms in parents and siblings of autistic individuals across 23 studies. The research found that depressive symptoms were the most commonly reported mental health concerns, with mothers of autistic children being particularly affected. In the meta-analysis comparing mothers of autistic children to mothers of children with other developmental differences, mothers of autistic children scored 0.42 standard deviations higher on symptom scales, indicating significantly elevated psychological distress. The findings suggest that mental health screening and support for family members should be integrated into autism care pathways to improve overall family wellbeing and treatment outcomes.

Family mental health screening should be integrated into autism care pathways. Mothers require particular attention for depression screening and support. Healthcare providers should develop targeted interventions for family psychological wellbeing as part of comprehensive autism treatment approaches.

Sample size not reported. Limited details about study quality assessment or heterogeneity between studies (except for one comparison). Unclear if findings apply across different autism severity levels or cultural contexts.

Parents and siblings of children on the autism spectrum experience significant distress, and for this reason, it is essential to understand the most prevalent psychopathological symptoms among this population. This work aims to establish the prevalence of psychopathological symptoms in parents and siblings of individuals on the autism spectrum, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) criteria. Searches were carried out using the PubMed/Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, SciELO, and Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) databases. Twenty-three articles were included in this review.

Depressive symptoms were the most frequently reported conditions, with a higher prevalence in mothers of children on the autism spectrum. In the meta-analysis, mothers of children on the autism spectrum scored higher by 0.42 standard deviations on the symptom scales (SMD 0.42; CI 0.25-0.59), with low statistical heterogeneity (I0%, p = 0.5) when compared with mothers of children with atypical development. The psychopathological symptoms of relatives should be investigated as part of the follow-up procedures for the child on the autism spectrum to facilitate their treatment.