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Behavioral Sciences
Volume 16
Issue 7
10.3390/bs16071175
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Article

Psychological Distress in Family Members of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder—Associated Factors and Implications for Healthcare

by
Piotr Bromber
1,
Mariola Borowska
1,*,
Beata Gellert
1,
Natalia Miller
2,
Maria Malm
3,
Agnieszka Drab
3,
Janusz Ostrowski
1,
Jarosław Pinkas
1,
Wojciech Miazga
1,
Anna Augustynowicz
1 and
Urszula Religioni
1
1
School of Public Health, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education of Warsaw, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland
2
Department of Environmental Threat Prevention, Allergology and Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland
3
Department of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 1175; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16071175
Submission received: 11 May 2026 / Revised: 30 June 2026 / Accepted: 6 July 2026 / Published: 11 July 2026
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Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects not only diagnosed individuals but also their families, who often experience long-term psychological and organizational burden. This study aimed to assess depression, anxiety, and stress among family members of individuals with ASD and to identify socio-demographic and family-related associated factors of psychological distress, with particular attention to high-risk groups, social inequalities, and the healthcare system context. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2025 among 310 family members of individuals with ASD. Data were collected using the Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) method via the Ariadna Nationwide Research Panel. Psychological distress was assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Results: Respondents reported substantial levels of psychological distress. Severe or extremely severe symptoms were most common for anxiety (41.29%), followed by depression (35.48%) and stress (27.74%). Younger respondent age was consistently associated with higher depression, anxiety, and stress. Lower income was associated with higher depression and anxiety, indicating the importance of socio-economic inequalities. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need to identify high-risk groups and develop family-centered, coordinated support within the healthcare system, with particular attention to social inequalities, continuity of care, and access to psychological and therapeutic services.
Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; ASD; family caregivers; psychological distress; healthcare system; public health autism spectrum disorder; ASD; family caregivers; psychological distress; healthcare system; public health

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MDPI and ACS Style

Bromber, P.; Borowska, M.; Gellert, B.; Miller, N.; Malm, M.; Drab, A.; Ostrowski, J.; Pinkas, J.; Miazga, W.; Augustynowicz, A.; et al. Psychological Distress in Family Members of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder—Associated Factors and Implications for Healthcare. Behav. Sci. 2026, 16, 1175. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16071175

AMA Style

Bromber P, Borowska M, Gellert B, Miller N, Malm M, Drab A, Ostrowski J, Pinkas J, Miazga W, Augustynowicz A, et al. Psychological Distress in Family Members of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder—Associated Factors and Implications for Healthcare. Behavioral Sciences. 2026; 16(7):1175. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16071175

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bromber, Piotr, Mariola Borowska, Beata Gellert, Natalia Miller, Maria Malm, Agnieszka Drab, Janusz Ostrowski, Jarosław Pinkas, Wojciech Miazga, Anna Augustynowicz, and et al. 2026. "Psychological Distress in Family Members of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder—Associated Factors and Implications for Healthcare" Behavioral Sciences 16, no. 7: 1175. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16071175

APA Style

Bromber, P., Borowska, M., Gellert, B., Miller, N., Malm, M., Drab, A., Ostrowski, J., Pinkas, J., Miazga, W., Augustynowicz, A., & Religioni, U. (2026). Psychological Distress in Family Members of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder—Associated Factors and Implications for Healthcare. Behavioral Sciences, 16(7), 1175. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16071175

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