| 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 0000-0001-7898-1898) |
| 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 |