Parental Stress During the Career Transition of Students With ASD

This study examined the dimensions of parental stress experienced during the career transition of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Nigeria. A sample of seventy-six parents completed the Career Transition-Related Parental Stress Questionnaire, which measured stress across six domains, namely, career planning stress, service navigation stress, financial stress, work-family balance stress, emotional stress, and social support stress. Findings revealed high overall stress, with service navigation representing the most intense stressor. Career planning, financial, work-family balance, and social support dimensions also showed high stress levels, while emotional stress was moderate. We did not identify meaningful differences in relation to demographic factors. These findings underscore the need for structured transition support and coordinated services that would address these stressors. Strengthening existing systems of care is crucial for reducing parental stress and improving transition outcomes for students with ASD.