This research explores the relationship of stress, anxiety, and depression levels for parents that have children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in comparison to parents with children that do not have ASD and/or other mental disorders. This study aims to provide insight into the unique challenges that parents with ASD children face on a day-to-day basis. With the rising prevalence of ASD in the United States, there is an increasing number of parents who must navigate the additional stressors associated with raising a child with ASD alongside everyday life demands. Insights gained from this research will help tailor interventions, enhance understanding of family dynamics, identify support service needs, and address mental health implications for parents. This study aims to contribute to the development of more effective support systems and improve the overall well-being of families affected by ASD.

Research indicates that among historically excluded older adults, familial relationship quality and support can influence perceived stress and health. What is less clear is whether perceived stress mediates the relationship between familial support and blood pressure. In this study, we aimed to assess whether the frequency of reliance on family support or the number of close relatives were associated with blood pressure five years after baseline, mediated by perceived stress. Longitudinal, observational survey data was previously collected by the National Social Life Health and Aging Project (NSHAP). Specifically, we used a subset of participants from historically excluded groups who did not take antihypertensive medications, with complete data at Wave 1 and Wave 2 (N = 783). Analyses included regression and mediation models. Although neither reliance on family nor the number of close relatives was associated with diastolic or systolic blood pressure five years later, and perceived stress did not mediate these associations, the number of close relatives was associated with perceived stress five years later. This was observed after controlling for perceived stress and other demographic and health-related factors at baseline, F(4, 369) =  2.27 p = 0.047. We found that compared with respondents who reported zero close relatives, those with 10-20 (b=-0.56, 95% CI(-1.07, -0.04), p=0.03) or 20 or more (b=-0.58, 95% CI(-1.09, -0.07), p=0.03) reported significantly less perceived stress 5 years later. The number of close relatives may mitigate long-term stress among historically excluded older adults.

The place children grow up in affects all areas of their lives. Neighborhoods with higher opportunity levels provide access to better educational programs, healthier surroundings, and stronger economic and social conditions. Conversely, deprived neighborhoods with lower opportunity are associated with lower educational scores, higher antisocial behaviors, and reduced life expectancy. The stress acceleration hypothesis posits that early life stress leads to protracted brain maturation as a short-term adaptation to adverse environments. Studies on severe childhood deprivation (i.e. previously institutionalized children) have shown an earlier maturation of corticolimbic circuitry (e.g., coupling between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex) implicated in emotion regulation. However, it is unclear whether this effect can be generalized to a) children living in deprived neighborhoods, and b) corticolimbic circuitry during resting-state fMRI. Objective: We will examine the role of child opportunity on preadolescents’ corticolimbic circuitry development. We hypothesize that lower COI would be associated with earlier maturation of the corticolimbic circuitry, as indexed by a more negative amygdala-cingulo-opercular network (CON), and hippocampus-CON resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC). Method: We will use data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study - the largest (n=11,878) prospective, multisite fMRI and behavioral study of multi-racial children from diverse socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds. Childhood opportunity index (COI 2.0) and amygdala-CON and hippocampus-CON rsFC will be assessed at baseline. Children’s sex and scanner types will be used as covariates. Multilevel modeling will be conducted using Mplus. Conclusion: Our findings will shed light on possible new areas of intervention and mechanisms behind why neighborhoods matter.