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We investigated how change in the characteristics of 140 adolescents and young adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) would predict subsequent change in maternal well-being and in the quality of the mother-child relationship. Overall patterns of improvement in maternal well-being and mother-child relationship quality were observed during the study. When the son or daughter had declining behavior problems, were prescribed more psychotropic medications, and exited from high school during the study period, mothers' well-being and perception of relationship quality improved to a greater extent. In addition, improvements in maternal well-being and relationship quality were observed in mothers of daughters, in mothers of individuals with mental retardation as well as ASD, and in mothers of those in better health.

We identified 201 individuals who obtained IQs of 85 or below in high school and participated in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (a prospective longitudinal study that followed sample members from age 18 through age 53). Their life course development was contrasted with their siblings who obtained IQs above 100. Life course outcomes were assessed in five domains: Education and Occupational Attainment, Family Formation, Social Participation and Support, Physical Health, and Psychological Well-Being. Compared to their higher IQ sibling, low-IQ individuals completed less schooling, had less prestigious occupations, rated themselves less physically healthy, and reported lower levels of psychological well-being. Differences were not evident, however, in patterns of family formation, social support, job satisfaction, or objective measures of physical health.

The current study offers a new way to ascertain information about child neglect by evaluating a self-report measure of neglectful behaviors, the Mother-Child Neglect Scale (MCNS). The scale was modified from an existing self-report measure, the Neglect Scale (NS), which was originally designed to measure personal histories of neglect. One hundred adolescent mothers were administered the MCNS and NS in two occasions via phone interviews. In addition, maternal abuse potential and the quality of mother-child interactions were assessed when children were age 3 and 5 years. The MCNS had high internal consistency and moderate test-retest reliability. Convergent validity was found between the MCNS and maternal histories of neglect as well as observed parenting behaviors and child abuse potential; those relationships remained after social desirability was controlled. This research tool may prove useful, in conjunction with existing assessment instruments, in determining the type and severity of past neglectful behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information on the life course studies of siblings with developmental disabilities. The sibling relationship constitutes the longest lasting family tie, beginning with the birth of the younger sibling and ending with the death of one member of the sibling pair. Siblings share a common family heritage, both genetically and experientially, and perhaps for this reason, the sibling relationship is normatively characterized as egalitarian, reciprocal, and mutual. In addition, there may be less genetic and experiential similarity between members of the sib-pair and less egalitarianism and reciprocal exchange due to unequal abilities and patterns of life course outcomes. However, there may also be greater continuity in contact across the life course when the sibling has a developmental disability. A growing body of research on adult sibling relationships when one individual has a developmental disability suggests that, in general, these siblings tend to maintain high levels of involvement across the life course, although there is variability in the degree of contact and closeness.