Depression and parental distress among caregivers of autistic children: a serial mediator analysis in caregivers of autistic children.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the severity of autism, emotional and behavioral problems of autistic children, internalized stigma, depressive symptoms, and primary caregiver parental stress. Specifically, we explored the mediating role of internal stigmatization and total difficulties of individuals with autism on parenting stress and depressive symptoms of the primary caregiver.

Method: Mothers of 93 children with autism were included in the study.