The study aims to pursue the following objectives: assess the level of distinct latent profiles of emotional well-being among primary school children with autism in Calabar metropolis, examine how family structure (single-parent, nuclear, extended) predicts emotional well-being and investigate how family functioning (including emotional responsiveness, conflict resolution and cohesion) predicts emotional well-being in children with autism spectrum disorder.
The research employed a cross-sectional correlational design to investigate the influence of family context on the emotional well-being of primary school pupils with autism in Calabar Education Zone. A total of 192 caregiver–child pairs participated, identified through documented DSM-5 diagnoses and supplementary screening with the childhood autism spectrum test. Emotional well-being was measured using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire, while family functioning was assessed with the McMaster family assessment device. Latent profile analysis was used to classify emotional well-being patterns. Generalized linear mixed models tested family structure and hierarchical regression examined family functioning as predictors.
The analysis identified four distinct profiles of emotional well-being among pupils with autism: emotionally well-adjusted, moderately vulnerable, situationally reactive and highly dysregulated. Family structure, whether nuclear, single-parent or extended, showed no significant association with emotional outcomes. In contrast, family functioning accounted for more than half of the variance in emotional well-being. Dimensions such as problem-solving, affective responsiveness and behavioural control emerged as the strongest predictors. These results indicate that the quality of interaction and responsiveness within the family environment exerts a greater influence on children’s emotional adjustment than the structural composition of the household.
The study was limited by its cross-sectional design, which prevented conclusions about causality between family dynamics and emotional well-being. Reliance on caregiver reports may also have introduced bias, especially in contexts where stigma and cultural views of autism influence responses. Focusing on a single education zone restricts wider generalization, as the findings may not represent rural or socioeconomically different populations. Despite these limitations, the results emphasize the importance of prioritising family functioning over household structure in policy and practice, highlighting the need for interventions that strengthen emotional responsiveness, problem-solving and behavioural consistency within families.
The findings suggest that interventions for children with autism should focus on strengthening family functioning rather than household structure. Training programs that enhance caregivers’ skills in problem-solving, emotional responsiveness and consistent behavioural guidance may improve children’s emotional well-being. Schools and therapy centres can integrate family-based components into support services, ensuring that caregivers are equipped to provide stable emotional environments. Policymakers and service providers should prioritise family-centred frameworks that address relational quality across nuclear, single-parent and extended households, recognizing that functional dynamics within the family system are more critical than its composition.
The study highlights the need to shift social perceptions away from family type as a determinant of child outcomes towards the quality of daily interactions within households. By recognizing that emotional well-being in autistic children depends on supportive and responsive family functioning, communities can reduce stigma towards single-parent or extended households. The results encourage social initiatives that promote acceptance, strengthen community-based support networks and provide culturally sensitive guidance for families. Broader awareness of these findings may foster more inclusive attitudes and reduce blame often directed at parents, creating a more supportive environment for children with autism.
This study offers one of the few empirical examinations of emotional well-being among children with autism in a Nigerian context, where cultural norms, extended family systems and limited services create distinctive challenges. By applying latent profile analysis, it provides a nuanced account of emotional diversity rather than treating autistic children as a uniform group. The findings demonstrate that family functioning, rather than family structure, is the decisive factor shaping emotional outcomes. This contribution advances autism research in underrepresented regions and supports the development of family-centred interventions tailored to cultural and social realities.
