Marital satisfaction and attribution style in parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and non-disabled children

The aim of this research is to explore whether there are any differences in couple satisfaction and couple attributions between families with disabled and non-disabled children and to understand if a relationship exists among the above-mentioned variables in parents of children with and without disability. Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (low functioning n = 16; high functioning n = 20); with Down Syndrome (n = 24) and parents of non-disabled children (n = 40) were selected. Couple relationship was investigated using the Italian version of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and the Relationship Attribution Measure (RAM). Compared with other groups, parents of children with ASD reported lower marital satisfaction and a pattern of attribution that is negatively related to marital satisfaction. Couple satisfaction and couple attribution are strongly related both in families of children with ASD and in families of children with Down Syndrome. Results showed differences between families of children with or without a disability, and between parents of children with Autism and with Down syndrome. These results can act as both a stimulus towards further research in families with disabled children and as a starting point for clinical interventions.