The asymmetric relationship of parental psychological flexibility and parenting involvement in autism: anxiety as a mediator

Front Public Health. 2026 Sep 16;14:1912741. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1912741. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face immense pressure and challenges. In traditional Chinese culture, a distinct division of labor exists, with mothers typically bearing greater parenting burdens. This study examined the relationship between parental psychological flexibility (PPF) and parental involvement in families of children with ASD, investigated the mediating role of anxiety, and explored the interaction effects between parents.

METHODS: The study included 83 pairs of parents of children with ASD. Parental psychological flexibility, anxiety, and parenting involvement were assessed using the Parental Psychological Flexibility Scale, Anxiety Scale, and Parenting Involvement Scale, respectively. An actor-partner interdependence model was constructed.

RESULTS: Both paternal and maternal PPF exhibited significant actor effects on parental involvement, while maternal PPF showed a partner effect on paternal involvement. When anxiety was included as a mediator, maternal PPF was negatively associated with both maternal and paternal anxiety. There was also a significant indirect association between maternal PPF and paternal involvement through maternal anxiety.

DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that PPF is a core factor contributing to parenting. In the Chinese cultural context, enhancing mothers’ psychological flexibility may be key to improving family parenting capacity.

PMID:42819255 | PMC:PMC13623757 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1912741