Date of Completion

Summer 8-31-2015

Thesis Advisor(s)

Deborah Fein; DasaI Jashar; Laura Brennan

Honors Major

Psychology

Disciplines

Clinical Psychology

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in toddlers and familial depression, specifically maternal depression. The data on toddlers in this study were collected from the Early Detection of Autism Study at the University of Connecticut. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship between toddlers’ ASD diagnoses and familial depression compared to families with non-ASD toddlers. More specifically, it was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship between ASD diagnoses and maternal depression, due to the challenges and stressors that result from taking care of toddlers with ASD. This study’s findings did not support the original hypotheses, suggesting that the incidence of depression, maternal or familial, may not be higher in the families of toddlers with ASD compared to families of non-ASD toddlers. However, further research is necessary to support this conclusion.

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