Is Your Stress Really That Bad? What the Science Says About Chronic Caregiving Stress
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PSN Team 
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Is Your Stress Really That Bad?
What the Science Says About Chronic Caregiving Stress
Many special needs parents know the feeling.
The constant state of alert.
The interrupted sleep.
The exhaustion that never seems to go away.
The feeling that you’re always waiting for the next crisis.
Recently, a video from autism father and Army veteran Steve Johnson deeply resonated with thousands of special needs families. In it, Steve compares the chronic stress of raising a child with special needs to the constant state of readiness he experienced while serving in the military.
His message struck a powerful chord with caregivers—but it also raised an important question.
Is what he’s describing supported by science?
To find out, Parenting Special Needs Magazine invited two respected caregiver health researchers—Dr. Sarah Masefield and Dr. Mandy Bamber, PhD, RN—to watch Steve’s video and share what current research tells us about chronic caregiving stress, how it affects the body, and why caring for yourself is an essential part of caring for your child.
The result is a thoughtful conversation that brings together lived experience, scientific research, and practical encouragement for families who often feel unseen.
Watch the Video
Is Your Stress Really That Bad?
What the Science Says About Chronic Caregiving Stress
Watch Steve Johnson share his personal caregiving journey, followed by expert insights from Dr. Sarah Masefield and Dr. Mandy Bamber as they discuss what research tells us about chronic caregiving stress—and what parents can do to better care for themselves.
Meet the Experts
Steve Johnson
Army veteran, autism father, and caregiver advocate whose heartfelt video inspired this feature. His personal story gave voice to an experience shared by countless parents raising children with disabilities.
Dr. Sarah Masefield
Health researcher whose work focuses on the long-term effects of caregiving on physical and emotional health. She explains what research tells us about chronic stress, why caregivers often overlook their own symptoms, and why early support matters.
Dr. Mandy Bamber, PhD, RN
Nurse researcher specializing in caregiver health and well-being. Dr. Bamber shares practical strategies that parents can begin using today to better care for their physical and emotional health while navigating the demands of caregiving.
Coming Soon
Free Caregiver Self-Care Guide
We’re putting the finishing touches on a companion self-care guide developed with Dr. Mandy Bamber.
It includes practical strategies, reminders, and simple steps parents can use to support their own health while caring for their child.
Check back soon for this free downloadable resource.
Our Hope
If this conversation helped you feel seen, we hope you’ll share it with another caregiver.
Sometimes the greatest gift we can give another family is the reminder that they are not alone.
