Resilience to COVID-19-related challenges in preschool-aged children with and without autism spectrum disorder

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2025

Identifier

DOI: 10.1016/j.reia.2025.202705

Abstract

This study examined factors related to resilience in children (46–91 months) with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. From January 2021 to June 2021 a cross-sectional questionnaire measuring the pandemic’s impact on participants was administered to participants from The Study to Explore Early Development (SEED; N = 641). A sum score of items measuring child resilience was computed as an outcome. A Tobit regression was used to model the impact of child’s ASD status, demographic variables, child developmental characteristics, family income, parent work characteristics, and other family and maternal characteristics. There was no association between resilience and ASD status, but it was inversely related to maternal mental health challenges. Resilience was also significantly lower for Asian than non-Hispanic White children and inversely associated with child behavior problems. There was an interaction between loss of work and the family income. Child resilience is a complex phenomenon impacted by child, family, and social factors. Further research is needed to understand how to address factors negatively associated with child resilience and promote factors positively associated with child resilience. Focusing on family and social factors, along with direct child support, may promote resilience in all children.

Journal Title

Research in Autism

Volume

128

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