The Lived Experience of Parents Raising a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: "Losing Your Way, Being on a Rollercoaster with Ups and Downs"
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Parents raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face significant challenges, including isolation and career changes. Despite these difficulties, they adapt and advocate for their children, finding solutions amidst uncertainty.
Area Of Science
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Disorders
- Parenting Studies
Background
- Raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents unique challenges for parents.
- Parents require support and guidance to navigate diagnosis and developmental stages.
- Securing ongoing support for children with ASD is often perceived as daunting.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the lived experiences of parents raising children diagnosed with ASD in Greece.
- To understand the parental journey from diagnosis through to adulthood.
- To identify the key challenges and coping mechanisms employed by parents of children with ASD.
Main Methods
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight parents of children with ASD.
- Thematic analysis methodology, as described by Braun and Clarke, was employed.
- Data organization and analysis were facilitated by ATLAS.TI version 8 software.
Main Results
- A core theme emerged: parents perceived raising a child with ASD as "losing your way, being on a rollercoaster with ups and downs."
- Sub-themes included: experiencing loneliness, social stigma, advocating for the child, uncertainty about the future, and identity crisis.
- Parents reported significant life adjustments, including career changes, to support their children.
Conclusions
- Parents of children with ASD experience profound loneliness, isolation, and social stigma.
- Despite challenges, parental advocacy and problem-solving skills contribute to child development.
- Parents adapt by making life adjustments and remaining proactive for their child's well-being.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
Related Concept Videos
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...
Diana Baumrind's four parenting styles — authoritarian, authoritative, neglectful, and permissive — each influence children's socio-emotional development differently.
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....