Life Transition of Mothers of Children with Autism

Abstract

Purpose:While there are a number of studies on children with disabilities, there have been few studies on mothers of children with autism. The purpose of this study was to explore the process of life transition of mothers who have children with autism. Methods: From June 2007 to May 2009, the researcher interviewed 15 mothers of children with autism living in Seoul City, Gyeonggi or Chonbuk Provinces, and then analyzed the data gathered using the constant comparative method of grounded theory. Results: "Living together holding a string of fate" was a core category showing along the continuum of life. The basic social process of life transition encompassed 5 stages: stages of denying, wandering, devoting, mind controlling, and finally accepting. These five stages proceeded in phases, though returned back to the wandering stage occasionally. Conclusion: This study has opened the door to understanding how mothers of children with autism experienced life transition. The findings suggest that differentiated support and care at each stage should be given and there is the need to develop transition assessment tools for mothers of children with autism.

Construct Validity of the Life Transition Scale for Parents of Children with Autism

“…특히, 아동이 어린 경우, 부모는 장애 진단을 최근에 받았거나 치료를 시작하는 시점에 있으므로 정서적 혼란 상태에서 스트레스와 우울 정도가 더 심하다 [6]. 그러 나 시간이 흐름에 따라 아동이 성장하면서 부모들은 점차적으로 정서적으로 안정되고 삶에 대한 태도도 긍정적으로 변화되는 양상 을 보이기도 한다 [7,8]. Figure 1).…”

Life Transition Process Effects on Depressive Symptoms in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Parents of children with ASD are at higher risk of depression and more likely to need professional help [20][21][22][23][24][25]. Parents who have children with ASD experience LTP [11][12][13][14].…”

“…Meleis et al [10] further suggested that health and illness challenges involve a process of transition that also increases parents' vulnerability to poor health. In this regard, a series of studies by Lee et al [11][12][13][14] investigated how mothers of children with autism experienced life transitions, and suggested differentiated support and care at each stage. Mothers who have children with ASD experienced five phases of the Life Transition Process (LTP): denying, wandering, devoting, mind controlling, and accepting [11].…”

“…In this regard, a series of studies by Lee et al [11][12][13][14] investigated how mothers of children with autism experienced life transitions, and suggested differentiated support and care at each stage. Mothers who have children with ASD experienced five phases of the Life Transition Process (LTP): denying, wandering, devoting, mind controlling, and accepting [11]. These findings comprised the basis for developing and revising the Life Transition Scale (LTS) for parents who have children with autism, identifying four phases: denying, wandering, despairing, and accepting.…”

“…Although the series of studies by Lee et al [11][12][13][14] shed light on how parents of children with autism experienced life transitions, there is little empirical evidence for how such transitional experiences influence parental psychological functioning or suggestions regarding the support and care needed for each phase of the LTP. Specifically, parents of children with ASD have a high risk of depression, yet few studies have addressed whether their symptoms change during the transitional process of caring for children with ASD.…”