Problem:
Discussion: This study further extends the parenting-stress literature by employing a Network Analysis approach. The inductive/deductive approach used afforded a number of testable hypotheses that replicate previous findings in the literature [e.g., 16], in addition to contributing some novel findings. These findings will now be summarised. Strengths and limitations A strength of the current study is its analytical approach. Network Analysis is a relatively new approach in ASD research, and Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) even more so. However, DAGs are becoming more widely accepted due to their ability to present complex inter-relationships among multiple observable and latent variables in a clear and intuitively meaningful form, while controlling for confounding variables in modelling complex dependency relationships in observational studies [[71]]. As a cross sectional study, the methodology of our study is not sufficient to infer causal associations between variables in the network, and instead, examines the dependency relationships between variables [[72]]. Pertinently, it cannot be discounted that a third variable could be causing the relationships found in the network. However, the current study expands the NA approach further by then testing the model using SEM to determine how well the hypothesized model fits the data and using path coefficients to quantify the strengths of the edges or connections between all pairs of variables. Need Assignment Help?