Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3 Professor, Department of Bio-Statics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Background and Aim: Empowering the parents of children with autism is required for the provision of care to children. Understanding factors influencing parental competence is required for healthcare staff including nurses. Therefore, this study aimed to describe parental empowerment among the parents of children with autism.
Methods: This was a qualitative study in which 16 parents and teachers of children with autism participated. The data was collected using focus group interviews at Shiraz Autism Society. The conventional content analysis method was used in order to analyze the data.
Results: Two themes developed in this study were “self-efficacy” including sub-categories of "self-improvement and self-esteem" and “adapting with the present situation” including the sub- categories of "acceptance of the child’s illness, patience, calm mind and thought, participation and interaction of other family members for the enhancement of care, social protection and support advantages and spiritual connection. "
Conclusion: The phenomenon of empowering the parents of children with autism can be defined as “adherence to existing conditions to gain self-efficacy”. Moreover, the findings of this study provide knowledge about planning for appropriate interventions to evaluate and improve parental empowerment for dealing with autism.
Keywords
- Bacon AL, Fein D, Morris R, Waterhouse L, Allen D. The responses of autistic children to the distress of others. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. 1998;28(2):129-42.
- Dyches TT, Wilder LK, Sudweeks RR, Obiakor FE, Algozzine Bs. Multicultural issues in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorder. 2004; 34(2):211-22.
- Woodgate RL, Ateah C, Secco L. Living in a world of our own: The experience of parents who have a child with autism. Qualitative health research. 2008;18(8):1075-83.
- Orme DM. A Qualitative Examination of Mothers' Resolution or Non-Resolution of Their Childrens' Disability of Down Syndrome or Autism Using a Cognitive Intervention. The qualitative report. 2005;10(3):561-92.
- Smith LE, Hong J, Seltzer MM, Greenberg JS, Almeida DM, Bishop SL. Daily experiences among mothers of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. 2010;40(2):167-78.
- Bowen E, Swift C. The prevalence and correlates of partner violence used and experienced by adults with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review and call to action. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. 2017;32(1):3-49.
- Mauri MC, Paletta S, Di Pace C, Reggiori A, Cirnigliaro G, Valli I, et al. Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Atypical Antipsychotics: An Update. Clinical pharmacokinetics. 2018:1-36.
- Tošić G, Horvatić A. A psychodynamic group of psychotic patients on a closed psychiatric ward. Psihoterapija. 2018;32(1):3-49.
- Mohammadi F, Rakhshan M, Molazem Z, Zareh N. Parental competence among parents with autistic children: A qualitative study. Nursing and Midwifery Studies. 2018;7(4):168-74.
- Mohammadi F, Rakhshan M, Molazem Z, Zareh N, Gillespie M. Caregivers’ perception of dignity in teenagers with autism spectrum disorder. Nursing Ethics. 2018;25(8):1-12.
- Malone CA. Observations on the role of family therapy in child psychiatry training. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry. 1974;13(3):437-58.
- Mohammadi-Zade A, Pooretemad H M-KG. The primary examination of effect of guided imagination by music on reduction of depression, anxiety, & stress in mothers with autistic children. Journal of Research Family. 2005;3:289-92.
- Marshall V, Long BC. Coping processes as revealed in the stories of mothers of children with autism. Qualitative Health Research. 2010;20(1):105-16.
- Stuart M, McGrew J. H. Caregiver burden after receiving a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2009;3: 86 - 97.
- Herring S, Gray K, Taffe J, Tonge B, Sweeney D, Einfeld S. Behaviour and emotional problems in toddlers with pervasive developmental disorders and developmental delay: associations with parental mental health and family functioning. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 2006;50(12):874-82.
- Montes G, Halterman JS. Psychological functioning and coping among mothers of children with autism: a population-based study. Pediatrics. 2007;119(5): 1040-6.
- Pisula E. A comparative study of stress profiles in mothers of children with autism and those of children with Down's syndrome. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 2007;20(3):274-8.
- Yamada A, Suzuki M, Kato M, Suzuki M, Tanaka S, Shindo T, et al. Emotional distress and its correlates among parents of children with pervasive developmental disorders. Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences. 2007;61(6):651-7.
- Ogston PL, Mackintosh VH, Myers BJ. Hope and worry in mothers of children with an autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2011;5(4):1378-84.
- Kuhn JC, Carter AS. Maternal self‐efficacy and associated parenting cognitions among mothers of children with autism. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 2006;76(4):564-75.
- Rutgers AH, Van Ijzendoorn MH, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Swinkels SH, van Daalen E, Dietz C, et al. Autism, attachment and parenting: A comparison of children with autism spectrum disorder, mental retardation, language disorder, and non-clinical children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 2007;35(5):859-70.
- Solish A, Perry A. Parents’ involvement in their children's behavioral intervention programs: Parent and therapist perspectives. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2008;2(4):728-38.
- Copeland DB, Harbaugh BL. Transition of maternal competency of married and single mothers in early parenthood. The Journal of perinatal education. 2004;13(4):3.
- Bethea L. Primary prevention of child abuse. American Family Physician. 1999;59(6):1577-85, 91-2.
- Jacobsen T, Miller LJ, Kirkwood KP. Assessing parenting competency in individuals with severe mental illness: A comprehensive service. The Journal of Mental Health Administration. 1997;24(2):189-99.
- Pridham KF, Limbo R, Schroeder M, Thoyre S, Van Riper M. Guided participation and development of care‐giving competencies for families of low birth‐weight infants. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 1998;28(5):948-58.
- Safe A, Joosten A, Molineux M. The experiences of mothers of children with autism: Managing multiple roles. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability. 2012;37(4):294-302.
- Stewart D, Gangbar R. Psychiatric assessment of competency to care for a new-born. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry/La Revue canadienne de psychiatrie. 1984;29(7):583-9.
- Samadi SA, McConkey R. Autism in developing countries: Lessons from Iran. Autism research and treatment. 2011;2011:1-11.
- Heidary A, Shahidi LH, Mohammadpuor A. Spiritual Journey in Mothers' Lived Experiences of Caring for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Global Journal of Health Science. 2015;7(6):p79.
- Sarabi J, Hassanabadi H, Mashhadi A, Asghari N. The effectiveness of parent training on self-efficacy of mothers of children with autism. The quarterly journal of fundamentals of mental health. 2011;13(1):84-93.
- Batool SS, Khurshid S. Factors associated with Stress among Parents of Children with Autism. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. 2015;25(10):752-6.
- Johnson RB, Onwuegbuzie AJ. Mixed methods research: A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational researcher. 2004; 33(7): 14-26.
- Shahidi LH, Heidary A, Mohammadpuor A. Lived experiences of mothers caring for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders:an exploratory of mixed study [PhD of Nursing]. Mashhad: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences; 2015.
- Russell G, Golding J, Norwich B, Emond A, Ford T, Steer C. Social and behavioural outcomes in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders: a longitudinal cohort study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2012;53(7):735-44.
- Bilgin H, Kucuk L. Raising an autistic child: Perspectives from Turkish mothers. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing. 2010;23(2):92-9.
)