Racial and Ethnic Group Differences in Service Utilization in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Parental Stigma
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| Title: | Racial and Ethnic Group Differences in Service Utilization in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Parental Stigma |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Karla Rivera-Figueroa, Stephanie Milan, Thyde Dumont-Mathieu, Diane Quinn, Inge-Marie Eigsti (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2025 29(5):1171-1183. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: | R01MH11268701A1 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Racial Differences, Ethnicity, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Parent Attitudes, Social Bias, Minority Groups, Access to Health Care, Socioeconomic Influences |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241298043 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | Racial and ethnic disparities in service utilization in autism are widely documented. Autism-related parental stigma may play a role if parents from racial/ethnic minoritized backgrounds experience dual stigma from autism and from membership in a marginalized group. This study examines racial/ethnic differences in autism-related stigma and compares the impact of stigma on service utilization in a large, diverse sample of US-based parents of autistic children (final sample = 764; White 41.6%, Black 16.6%, Latino/a/x/Hispanic 20.9%, Asian 7.5%, Multiracial 9.6%, Native American 1.8%, Pacific Islander 0.5%, Middle Eastern 0.2%, and Other 0.2%). Parents completed online surveys assessing affiliate and community stigma, service utilization, and perceived unmet treatment needs. Small but significant racial/ethnic group differences emerged in some aspects of stigma and service utilization. Specifically, Asian and Latino/a/x parents were less likely to fully engage in recommended services; Asian parents endorsed less service availability; Latino/a/x and multiracial parents reported more unmet needs; and Asian and White parents reported significantly more affiliate stigma. There was little indication that stigma contributed to racial/ethnic differences in service utilization, except for Asian families. Results indicate that socioeconomic factors interact with race/ethnicity to impact service use and stigma. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1469228 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Racial and ethnic disparities in service utilization in autism are widely documented. Autism-related parental stigma may play a role if parents from racial/ethnic minoritized backgrounds experience dual stigma from autism and from membership in a marginalized group. This study examines racial/ethnic differences in autism-related stigma and compares the impact of stigma on service utilization in a large, diverse sample of US-based parents of autistic children (final sample = 764; White 41.6%, Black 16.6%, Latino/a/x/Hispanic 20.9%, Asian 7.5%, Multiracial 9.6%, Native American 1.8%, Pacific Islander 0.5%, Middle Eastern 0.2%, and Other 0.2%). Parents completed online surveys assessing affiliate and community stigma, service utilization, and perceived unmet treatment needs. Small but significant racial/ethnic group differences emerged in some aspects of stigma and service utilization. Specifically, Asian and Latino/a/x parents were less likely to fully engage in recommended services; Asian parents endorsed less service availability; Latino/a/x and multiracial parents reported more unmet needs; and Asian and White parents reported significantly more affiliate stigma. There was little indication that stigma contributed to racial/ethnic differences in service utilization, except for Asian families. Results indicate that socioeconomic factors interact with race/ethnicity to impact service use and stigma. |
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| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241298043 |
