Caring for an individual with autism disorder: A qualitative analysis

AbstractBackground Caregivers in this qualitative study reported the multidimensional implications of having a child with autism on their family's lives and overall functioning.Method The Effects of the Situation Questionnaire (Yatchmenoff, Koren, Friesen, Gordon, & Kinney, 1998) was used to gather qualitative data from 80 caregivers. Colaizzi's (1978) phenomenological data analysis method was used to analyse the caregivers' written narratives. Biopsychosocial-spiritual, systemic, and ecological theoretical lenses were used to conceptualise the recorded experiences.Results Seven thematic content areas emerged from the caregivers' data. They include: psychological implications, familial implications, social implications, services, spiritual benefits, economic challenges, and focus on the future of having a child diagnosed with autism.Conclusions The results of this study offer valuable insight into how helping professionals may attend to the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of th...