Impact of the Great Recession on Adults With Autism and Their Mothers

Autistic individuals and their families are at risk for poor outcomes in employment and mental health and may be vulnerable to long-term effects of broader societal conditions. The aim of the current longitudinal study was to understand the impact of the Great Recession of 2007-2009 on autistic indi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilities 2024-01, Vol.129 (1), p.26-40
Main Authors: Hickey, Emily J, DaWalt, Leann Smith, Bolt, Daniel, Hong, Jinkuk, Song, Jieun, Lounds Taylor, Julie, Mailick, Marsha R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult children
Autism
Autistic adults
Behavior problems
Employment Level
Employment status
Great Recession
Health status
Hierarchical Linear Modeling
Linear analysis
Long term
Longitudinal Studies
Mental depression
Mental health
Mothers
Physical Health
Recessions
Resilience
Vulnerability
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Summary:Autistic individuals and their families are at risk for poor outcomes in employment and mental health and may be vulnerable to long-term effects of broader societal conditions. The aim of the current longitudinal study was to understand the impact of the Great Recession of 2007-2009 on autistic individuals and their mothers (N = 392). Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) results indicated that problem behavior of autistic adults increased in the years following the recession. The rate at which autistic individuals moved away and lived separately from their mothers also slowed during the recession. Mothers experienced significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms postrecession, compared to prerecession. In many other respects, the autistic individuals and their mothers did not experience negative outcomes, suggesting resilience and a strong safety net. These included the physical health and vocational/employment status of the autistic adults and their mothers. Results point to specific areas of vulnerability of autistic individuals and their mothers during the economic downturn, as well as a broad pattern of resilience in these families.
ISSN:1944-7515
1944-7558
DOI:10.1352/1944-7558-129.1.26