"We are all there silently coping": The hidden experiences of parents of adults with Asperger syndrome

Gemma M Griffith; Vasiliki Totsika; Susie Nash; Robert Jones; Richard P Hastings

doi:10.3109/13668250.2012.701729

"We are all there silently coping": The hidden experiences of parents of adults with Asperger syndrome

Gemma M Griffith, Vasiliki Totsika, Susie Nash, Robert Jones, Richard P Hastings

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The experiences of older parents of adults with Asperger syndrome have not been explored in the research literature.

METHOD: Four families who had middle-aged offspring with Asperger syndrome were interviewed (3 mothers and 1 couple), and the interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).

RESULTS: Six themes emerged from the analysis: (a) providers of "hidden" support, (b) role of advocate, (c) social isolation, (d) intrafamilial relationships, (e) support for parents, and (f) future concerns.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study offer insight into the experience of parents of adult sons with Asperger syndrome. Implications for future support interventions and research are suggested.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	237-47
Number of pages	11
Journal	Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability
Volume	37
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2012.701729
Publication status	Published - Sept 2012

Keywords

Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Adult Children
Aged
Asperger Syndrome
Family
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
Parents
Qualitative Research
Quality of Life
Social Isolation
Social Support
Socioeconomic Factors
Stress, Psychological
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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10.3109/13668250.2012.701729

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title = "{"}We are all there silently coping{"}: The hidden experiences of parents of adults with Asperger syndrome",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: The experiences of older parents of adults with Asperger syndrome have not been explored in the research literature.METHOD: Four families who had middle-aged offspring with Asperger syndrome were interviewed (3 mothers and 1 couple), and the interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).RESULTS: Six themes emerged from the analysis: (a) providers of {"}hidden{"} support, (b) role of advocate, (c) social isolation, (d) intrafamilial relationships, (e) support for parents, and (f) future concerns.CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study offer insight into the experience of parents of adult sons with Asperger syndrome. Implications for future support interventions and research are suggested.",

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author = "Griffith, \{Gemma M\} and Vasiliki Totsika and Susie Nash and Robert Jones and Hastings, \{Richard P\}",

year = "2012",

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doi = "10.3109/13668250.2012.701729",

language = "English",

volume = "37",

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publisher = "Taylor and Francis",

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T2 - The hidden experiences of parents of adults with Asperger syndrome

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AU - Totsika, Vasiliki

AU - Nash, Susie

AU - Jones, Robert

AU - Hastings, Richard P

PY - 2012/9

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N2 - BACKGROUND: The experiences of older parents of adults with Asperger syndrome have not been explored in the research literature.METHOD: Four families who had middle-aged offspring with Asperger syndrome were interviewed (3 mothers and 1 couple), and the interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).RESULTS: Six themes emerged from the analysis: (a) providers of "hidden" support, (b) role of advocate, (c) social isolation, (d) intrafamilial relationships, (e) support for parents, and (f) future concerns.CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study offer insight into the experience of parents of adult sons with Asperger syndrome. Implications for future support interventions and research are suggested.

AB - BACKGROUND: The experiences of older parents of adults with Asperger syndrome have not been explored in the research literature.METHOD: Four families who had middle-aged offspring with Asperger syndrome were interviewed (3 mothers and 1 couple), and the interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).RESULTS: Six themes emerged from the analysis: (a) providers of "hidden" support, (b) role of advocate, (c) social isolation, (d) intrafamilial relationships, (e) support for parents, and (f) future concerns.CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study offer insight into the experience of parents of adult sons with Asperger syndrome. Implications for future support interventions and research are suggested.

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KW - Adult

KW - Adult Children

KW - Aged

KW - Asperger Syndrome

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KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Interpersonal Relations

KW - Interviews as Topic

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Parents

KW - Qualitative Research

KW - Quality of Life

KW - Social Isolation

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KW - Socioeconomic Factors

KW - Stress, Psychological

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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JO - Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability

JF - Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability

IS - 3

ER -

"We are all there silently coping": The hidden experiences of parents of adults with Asperger syndrome

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Keywords

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