Family Resilience Buffers Depression Risk in Caregivers of Children With Autism

The global prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is currently estimated at 100 per 10,000 children, or approximately 1 in 100, placing a sustained demand on family support systems and clinical resources [1]. Caregivers and family members frequently experience significant psychological morbidity, with parents of preschool aged children reporting elevated rates of stress and depression [2], while neurotypical siblings often exhibit heightened anxiety and social difficulties [3]. Among adult populations associated with the disorder, the lifetime prevalence of depressive disorders has been documented as high as 37% (n = 26,117) [4, 5]. This mental health burden was further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, where restricted social contact was associated with depression symptoms in up to 63.8% of surveyed youth [6]. Although non-pharmacological interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness based interventions (MBI) are utilized to manage these comorbidities [7, 8], the specific internal family dynamics that protect certain caregivers from clinical depression remain a critical area of investigation.