Corresponding Changes in Sleep and Discrimination: A Three-year Longitudinal Study Among Ethnically/Racially Diverse Adolescents.

Parenting stress refers to the emotional and psychological strain experienced by parents stemming from the challenges and demands of raising and caring for children (). Parenting stress is distinguished by its focus on the strain of child-rearing responsibilities, contrasting with the broader set of challenges encompassed by parent stress. While parenting stress is common, research consistently shows that parents of youth with autism and those with other developmental disabilities (DD) report higher levels of parenting stress compared to parents of neurotypical children (; ; ). Moreover, parenting stress appears highest in parents of children with autism (; , ), likely due to unique challenges, such as higher rates of behavior problems, emotional dysregulation, sensory sensitivities, and social communication difficulties (). These differences manifest across specific domains: child-related difficulties, strained parent–child interactions, and increased parental distress, including social isolation and role restriction (). Parents of children with autism also often face stigma and must advocate extensively within complex systems (; ; ; ). Differentiating groups with autism and DD allows for more accurate analysis of parenting stress and intervention needs. While this study focuses on parenting stress, it is also important to recognize the strengths and resilience that many parents demonstrate in managing the challenges of raising a child with developmental differences. Research has highlighted that many parents develop adaptive coping strategies, including improved problem solving and increased emotional regulation, which help mitigate the effects of stress (; ). Additionally, parents often become powerful advocates for their children, driving changes in educational and healthcare systems (). Parenting stress, therefore, emerges within a broader context shaped not only by child characteristics but also by the availability of resources, societal support, and systemic barriers. The foundation of this article is the assertion that parenting stress is not solely attributable to child characteristics but is influenced by a complex interplay of parent, familial, and environmental factors, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the experiences of parents of children with autism and DD.