Speaker: Victoria Ng, York University
Department of Psychology

Title: Analysis for longitudinal study of crisis experiences in caregivers

Abstract: Parents of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience considerable stress in their roles as caregivers, and such stress can accumulate into experiences of crisis over time. Clinical observation posits that there are reliable and predictable types of crisis trajectories over time – some experience increased levels of crisis, while others adapt. Using multilevel models, I present the thought process in model-building to consider this original research question regarding within-person change over time, which leads to a brief foray into research regarding assumption violations in such models. Further, I also consider analyses for within-person fluctuation as opposed to change over time.