TY - JOUR

T1 - "We are all there silently coping"

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

AU - Griffith, Gemma M

AU - Totsika, Vasiliki

AU - Nash, Susie

AU - Jones, Robert

AU - Hastings, Richard P

PY - 2012/9

Y1 - 2012/9

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.

KW - Adaptation, Psychological

KW - Adult

KW - Adult Children

KW - Aged

KW - Asperger Syndrome

KW - Family

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

KW - Social Support

KW - Socioeconomic Factors

KW - Stress, Psychological

KW - Journal Article

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

U2 - 10.3109/13668250.2012.701729

DO - 10.3109/13668250.2012.701729

M3 - Article

C2 - 22852754

VL - 37

SP - 237

EP - 247

JO - Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability

JF - Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability

SN - 1366-8250

IS - 3

ER -