Parent Perceptions of Community Autism Spectrum Disorder Stigma: Measure Validation and Associations in a Multi-site Sample

Katharine E Zuckerman; Olivia J Lindly; Nuri M Reyes; Alison E Chavez; Maritza Cobian; Kristy Macias; Ann M Reynolds; Kathryn A Smith

doi:10.1007/s10803-018-3586-x

Parent Perceptions of Community Autism Spectrum Disorder Stigma: Measure Validation and Associations in a Multi-site Sample

J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 Sep;48(9):3199-3209. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-3586-x.

Authors

Katharine E Zuckerman^{1

2}, Olivia J Lindly^{3

4}, Nuri M Reyes⁵, Alison E Chavez^{3

6}, Maritza Cobian^{3

7}, Kristy Macias^{8

9}, Ann M Reynolds¹⁰, Kathryn A Smith^{8

9}

Affiliations

¹ Division of General Pediatrics, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University, 707 SW Gaines St., Mail Code CDRC-P, Portland, OR, 97239, USA. zuckerma@ohsu.edu.
² Oregon Health & Science University - Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, OR, USA. zuckerma@ohsu.edu.
³ Division of General Pediatrics, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University, 707 SW Gaines St., Mail Code CDRC-P, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
⁴ Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
⁵ Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
⁶ Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA.
⁷ Department of Clinical Psychology, Pacific University, Hillsboro, OR, USA.
⁸ Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Children's Hospital, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
⁹ University of Southern California University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
¹⁰ Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.

Abstract

In this study we developed a brief, English/Spanish bilingual parent-reported scale of perceived community autism spectrum disorder (ASD) stigma and tested it in a multi-site sample of Latino and non-Latino white parents of children with ASD. Confirmatory factor analysis of the scale supported a single factor solution with 8 items showing good internal consistency. Regression modeling suggested that stigma score was associated with unmet ASD care needs but not therapy hours or therapy types. Child public insurance, parent nativity, number of children with ASD in the household, parent-reported ASD severity, and family structure, were associated with higher stigma score. The scale and the scale's associations with service use may be useful to those attempting to measure or reduce ASD stigma.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Developmental disability; Health care surveys; Healthcare disparities; Mental health services; Stigma.

Publication types

Multicenter Study
Validation Study

MeSH terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder / diagnosis*
Autism Spectrum Disorder / ethnology
Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology*
Child
Child, Preschool
Family Characteristics / ethnology
Female
Health Surveys / methods
Health Surveys / standards
Hispanic or Latino / psychology
Humans
Male
Multilingualism
Parents / psychology*
Perception* / physiology
Social Stigma*
White People / psychology

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding