Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The current document is a two-paper manuscript-based thesis investigating the experiences of \nparents raising children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Autism Spectrum \nDisorder (ASD) in Ontario, Canada. Supports are available in Ontario for families of children \nwith disabilities. However, many parents report that they are not adequately meeting their needs. \nTherefore, the purpose of this research is to determine what supports parents believe they require \nto help facilitate adaptation. Both papers used mixed methods, including a qualitative analysis of \nsemi structured interviews and a descriptive statistical analysis of their respective questionnaires. \nThe first paper examined the experiences of parents of adopted adult children with FASD and \ntheir needs as they adapted to their children’s transition into adulthood. Interpretative \nphenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the interviews, and the Questionnaire on \nResources and Stress- Friedrich’s Version (QRS-F) was examined. Parents described a number \nof stressors related to their children’s transition to adulthood and reported moderate levels of \nperceived stress. The second paper examined parents’ formal and informal support needs as they \nadapted to raising their middle childhood aged children with ASD and FASD. Thematic analysis \nwas used analyze to the interviews, and the Family Resource Scale as well as the Family Crisis \nOriented Personal Scales were administered. Results indicated that there are not enough services \nto satisfy family needs. Implications for clinical interventions are discussed.
Author: Jenna M. Pepper
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2522997739