Parental Anticipatory Grief and Future Anxiety Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Moderating Role of Psychological Flexibility

Abstract

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience psychological challenges related to concerns about their child’s future, independence, education, employment, social life, safety, and long-term care. Anticipatory grief associated with perceived or expected losses may contribute to future anxiety, while psychological flexibility may serve as a protective factor. This quantitative study examined the relationship between anticipatory grief and future anxiety and investigated whether psychological flexibility moderated this association. A cross-sectional correlational design was used with 180 parents of clinically diagnosed children with ASD recruited through autism assessment and intervention centers, hospitals, special education institutions, and allied health facilities using purposive sampling. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the 27-item Anticipatory Grief Scale, 32-item Psychological Flexibility Scale for Parents of Children with ASD, and 38-item Future Anxiety Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26.0 through descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlation, hierarchical multiple regression, and Hayes’ PROCESS macro. Anticipatory grief was positively associated with future anxiety (r = .56, p = .001), whereas psychological flexibility was negatively associated with future anxiety (r = −.48, p = .001). Psychological flexibility significantly moderated this relationship (β = −.16, p = .018). Findings highlight the potential value of psychological flexibility and acceptance-based interventions in supporting parental well-being and adaptation.