Self-efficacy has been identified in the general parenting literature as an important variable
affecting parent outcomes. In the present study, 26 mothers and 20 fathers of children
with autism reported on their self-efficacy, anxiety, and depression. Teachers rated the
behavior problems of the children. Regression analyses showed that self-efficacy mediated
the effect of child behavior problems on mothers' anxiety and depression, but there was
no evidence that it functioned as a mediator for fathers. However, there was evidence that
self-efficacy moderated the effect of child behavior problems on fathers' anxiety. No evidence
for the moderating effect of self-efficacy was apparent for mothers. Methodological
issues and the theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.