Parenting and Mental Health in Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review

Abstract

This scoping review aimed to map and analyze the scientific evidence on the relationship between mental health and parenting among caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and BVS databases, following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A total of 24 empirical studies published between 2013 and 2024 were included, predominantly employing quantitative methodologies. The findings reveal that caregivers’ mental health, commonly assessed through symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, is associated with less functional parenting practices, reduced engagement with their children, and an increase in externalizing behaviors among the children. Mediating factors such as social support, self-stigma, and parenting styles were identified as influencing this relationship either positively or negatively. The literature still lacks studies that address mental health through positive constructs and that apply qualitative methods. The lack of standardization across studies hinders data comparison and the development of more robust integrative analyses. It is concluded that parental mental health plays a central role in parenting quality within the context of ASD and is essential for designing more effective and family-sensitive interventions. This review offers insights to advance both research and professional practices focused on the comprehensive care of atypical families.