The parenting styles and experiences of Filipino mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

• Main Author: Tan, Lisette Ann T.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2021
• Subjects: Mothers > Philippines; Autism; Autism in children; Parenting; Families; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdm_psych/23; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=etdm_psych
• Institution: De La Salle University

Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who were more likely than fathers to be more closely involved in their child's welfare, may be experiencing challenges and difficulties that are unique and incomparable to mothers with typically developing children. These mothers may also be exhibiting different types of parenting styles that are influenced by their varying family structures and can lead to either a positive or negative outcome for their family. The present study investigated the parenting styles and experiences of Filipino mothers with children ASD with 5-to-10-year children with ASD who came from different family structures. Baumrind's Theory of Parenting Styles served as the framework of the study, which included the authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive parenting styles. Data was gathered from the mothers through online interview and online test administration of the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ), and the data was analyzed using the qualitative case study method (QCSM). Results showed that the mothers' have a dominant parenting style as well as domain-specific parenting styles that were situation dependent. Similarities were observed in mothers' experiences in discovering their child's diagnosis, parenting challenges, and celebratory moments. Their difference in experiences as well as parenting styles, on the other hand, were observed in terms of their family structure. Future research involving a case study for Filipino fathers and/or an older age group for children with ASD were recommended.