A qualitative study to understand the experiences and coping processes of primary caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Aim: The aim of the study is to gain deeper understanding into the lived experiences of \nparents at a stimulation centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and the coping \nstrategies they employ in caring for their children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). \nSignificance: As literature has focused on international studies this study has provided \ndeeper understanding of the lived experiences and coping strategies of parents of \nchildren with ASD in a local setting within South Africa. Experiences across the age \nspectrum of children, gendered differences in coping and the meaning behind having a \nchild with ASD provides a unique outlook on ASD as opposed to literature that focuses \non other areas. \nMethods: Eleven parents participated in semi-structured interviews. These interviews \nwere triad, dyad or one-on-one interviews. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed \nverbatim once completed. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and extract \nthemes. \nFindings: The lived experiences of parents included stressful and devastating \nexperiences as well as positive meaning. Daily challenges were navigated by positive \nand negative coping strategies with gendered differences in coping being evident. \nParents expressed mixed feelings about the benefits of support groups and provided a \nroad map of advice for other parents of children with ASD. \nConclusion: Parents of children with ASD undergo enormous stress and emotional \nupheaval in caring for their children. However in addition to negative experiences, they \ngain some positive meaning and see it as character building. Their experiences provide \nuseful information for other parents undergoing the same journey.
Author: Deborah Leigh Fewster
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Inyuvesi Yakwazulu-Natali
OpenAlex ID: W117026311