"We are all there silently coping": The hidden experiences of parents of adults with Asperger syndrome
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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DOI
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.
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
| 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 | |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2012 |