Parenting, stress and coping strategies of parents of children with autism

• Main Authors: Lee, Seong-Min, Sagmit, Maria Clarizza G., Yu, Sambrina Santi T.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2011
• Subjects: Autism; Children with disabilities > Family relationships; Parents of children with disabilities; Parenting > Psychological aspects; Adjustment (Psychology)
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/6002
• Institution: De La Salle University

This qualitative study has focused on the experiences of being a parent of a child with autism. The researchers have gathered data from 9 mothers and 2 fathers about parenting, stress, coping strategies and their mental health. From the analysis of data gathered emerged categories and themes about these aspects. Parenting experiences include different styles of disciplining, training, giving affection and care, attention, and fulfilling the needs of the children. From parenting comes difficulties that lead to stress. These stressors include negative feelings, manifestations of the condition of their child, being financially burdened, dealing with social changes, and having fear about the childs future and well being. From this, parents identified their strategies in order to cope with the stressors. Coping strategies that were identified are divided into three categories namely: practical coping, emotional coping, and general coping. Results show that the whole experience of being a parent of a child with autism transforms a life of the parent both positively and negatively, but Filipino parents project positively despite the presence of stressors.