| This study investigates the relationship between online parent support groups and maternal stress for 88 mothers of children with autistic spectrum disorder in 18 online groups. Test variables included participation in face-to-face groups, participant demographics, tenure in online groups, level of online participation, perceived social support, parental stress, and depression. Most respondents did not participate in face-to-face parent support groups. Level of online participation correlated negatively with education and income but not age. Social support was perceived to be more satisfactory from participants' real world environment than from online groups. Perceived support was not related to the level of online participation. Perceived support, tenure in online groups, and depression all correlated negatively with maternal stress. |
