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Coping Strategies and the Marital Relationship Among Parents Raising Children with ASD.
- Source :
- Journal of Child & Family Studies; Mar2023, Vol. 32 Issue 3, p908-925, 18p, 1 Diagram, 2 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Parents raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been found to experience higher levels of stress and to face more challenges in the marital relationship than other parents. This study aimed to investigate how such couples cope with the stress and challenges of family life. Our qualitative study was based on semi-structured interviews with 42 parents (29 mothers and 13 fathers) of children and adolescents with ASD. Following Bodenmann's systemic transactional model (STM), we used thematic analysis to interpret the interview data and explore how couples coped. We found that study participants employed three types of coping strategies to reduce stress and strengthen the marital relationship. First, individual coping met the need for parents to find respite or "me time." Second, dyadic coping provided a way for members of a couple to support each other and find joint solutions to family challenges. Finally, social support coping played a key role in connecting parents with much needed resources, while allowing them to enjoy some respite and quality time as a couple. Our findings highlight the importance of simultaneously considering individual, dyadic, and social factors for providing a more comprehensive picture of the marital adjustment process. Highlights: Study participants used individual, dyadic, and social coping strategies. Equity between partners and individual respite time were key factors in strengthening the marital relationship. Communication and flexibility were key components of dyadic coping. Social support from relatives and professionals was a crucial factor in marital adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- MOTHERS
LEISURE
MARRIAGE
SOCIAL support
PARENTS of children with disabilities
RESEARCH methodology
SOCIAL networks
FATHERS
INTERVIEWING
SOCIAL factors
WORK-life balance
SPOUSES
QUALITATIVE research
PARENTING
PSYCHOSOCIAL factors
AUTISM
INTERPROFESSIONAL relations
RESEARCH funding
PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation
THEMATIC analysis
DATA analysis software
PSYCHOLOGICAL stress
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10621024
- Volume :
- 32
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Child & Family Studies
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 162585181
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02332-y