Lived experiences of low income single mothers on having a child with autism

• Main Authors: Manabat, Michele Marie F., Pabustan, Bryant M., Tolentino, Lorenz Angelo U.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2013
• Subjects: Low-income single mothers > Philippines; Single mothers; Autism in children; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/11427
• Institution: De La Salle University

The aim of this study is to explore in detail the lived experiences of low income single mothers on having a child with autism through the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four major themes were evident: Experience of change after the child's diagnosis, Experience of emotional and financial struggle. Experience of coping in relation to the child's disability trajectory, and Experience of giving importance to the role of the mother through self-sacrifice. Embedded major themes are their corresponding initial themes: change of outlook of the child's future, change in priority, change in daily routine feeling of wanting support and acceptance, feeling of financial struggle, patience towards the situation coping by self-conditioning, active coping self-sacrifice, worrying about the child's future, and valuing the role of the mother. This study established how having a low income and being a single parent affected the way these single mothers managed their child's condition.