The Role of Personality in Parenting a Child with Autism Spectrum

Anna Lenart; Jerzy Trzebiński

doi:10.25167/FF/5796

Published: 2025-12-12

Vol. 15 (2025)

The Role of Personality in Parenting a Child with Autism Spectrum

dr Anna Lenart

, prof. dr hab. Jerzy Stefan Trzebiński

Family Forum

Section: Varia (o rodzinie)

https://doi.org/10.25167/FF/5796

Abstract

The study investigates the influence of personality factors on parenting adaptation for parents raising children with autism spectrum disorders, which are increasingly prevalent developmental disorders. The research aimed to explore the relationship between key personality traits associated with competent caregiving and the approach to caring for a child with autism. A sample of 89 parents of children with autism completed questionnaires assessing personality traits, parenting competencies, and parental role fulfillment. The findings revealed significant correlations between specific personality traits and various aspects of parental functioning. Notably, Self-evaluation, Ability to Create Emotional Ties and Assertiveness emerged as crucial traits for accepting and positively fulfilling the parental role. Higher levels of these traits were associated with acceptance of the child and one's own parental role. These insights may prove valuable in developing targeted psychological support programs for parents of children with autism, potentially enhancing their ability to adapt to this role.

Keywords:

personality, autism spectrum disorders, parenting, parental competences, parenting role, parental role

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Lenart, A., & Trzebiński, J. (2025). The Role of Personality in Parenting a Child with Autism Spectrum. Family Forum, 15, 413–436. https://doi.org/10.25167/FF/5796

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dr Anna Lenart

alenart@ur.edu.pl
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9501-5296

Affiliation:

Katedra Psychologii Uniwersytet Rzeszowski Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Anna Lenart,
Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, University of Rzeszow Ćwiklińskiej 1 St Rzeszow, 35-601 Poland, email: alenart@ur.edu.pl, phone number: +48669360236

prof. dr hab. Jerzy Stefan Trzebiński

Affiliation:

Uniwersytet SWPS Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Psycholog, kierownik Katedry Psychologii Osobowości i dyrektor Instytutu Psychologii Uniwersytetu SWPS. Zajmuje się poznawczą psychologią społeczną i psychologią osobowości. Prowadzi od wielu lat badania nad narracjami, jako sposobami rozumienia społecznych zdarzeń, ludzi i własnej osoby (monografie „Narracyjna struktura wiedzy potocznej”, 1994 i „Narracja jako sposób rozumienia świata”, 2002). Sprawdza, w jaki sposób zrozumienie życiowego wyzwania w ramach osobistej historii-w-toku wpływa na nasz sposób myślenia i zachowania. Analizuje także wpływ siły nadziei podstawowej - tzn. przeświadczeń, że świat ma uniwersalny porządek i ogólny sens, oraz że świat jest generalnie przychylny człowiekowi - na zachowania prospołeczne i radzenie sobie z trudnymi sytuacjami.

https://swps.pl/jerzy-trzebinski