Memory failures for everyday tasks in caregivers of children with autism.
High stress in autism caregivers shows up as more self-reported memory lapses, but support and coping skills can buffer the load.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Lovell et al. (2014) asked parents to fill out two short checklists. One listed everyday memory slips like forgetting appointments or leaving the stove on. The other rated stress and mood.
Parents of children with autism and parents of neurotypical children took part. The team then looked at whether higher stress lined up with more memory complaints.
What they found
Autism caregivers reported more daily memory lapses than the comparison group. Their stress scores also ran higher, and stress predicted the number of slips they recalled.
In plain words, the more stressed the parent felt, the more “I forgot” moments they noticed.
How this fits with other research
Ruiz-Robledillo et al. (2015) adds a twist. They wired parents to skin sensors during a lab stress test. Surprisingly, autism caregivers showed calmer body reactions—lower sweat response—yet still said they felt anxious. Together the studies show stress can hide in the mind even when the body looks quiet.
Lovell et al. (2012) gives hope. The same research group found that parents who rated their friends and family as helpful had less distress and healthier morning cortisol. So while stress can fog memory, strong support may clear some of that fog.
Fallahchai et al. (2022) updates the story. Their survey showed child behavior problems still raise stress, but teaching couples to talk about stress and back each other up protects the marriage. Memory slips are one outcome; shaky relationships can be another.
Why it matters
If a parent keeps forgetting instructions or session times, check stress first. A quick screen for sleep loss, social support, and coping talk can guide your next step. Linking families to respite, peer groups, or brief mindfulness may sharpen memory by lowering stress.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The stress of caring for a loved one with chronic illness has been linked with impairments in cognitive processes such as attention and problem solving, though few studies have examined the impact on memory. Compromised cognition, in particular, aspects of everyday functioning such as remembering medical instructions and appointments, might affect caregivers' ability to maintain the consistency and quality of care needed by the child. A sample of 31 caregivers of children with autism and 51 parents of neuro-typical children completed an electronic survey assessing their levels of psychological distress and everyday memory. Perceived stress scores were higher in the caregiver group, as were self-reported memory failures for everyday tasks. The negative impact of caregiver stress on everyday memory was particularly salient among caregivers experiencing higher perceived levels of stress. These findings have implications for interventions that aim to improve caregivers' cognitive well being through targeting the psychological sequelae associated with the caregiving experience.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2014 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2014.07.019