title: A qualitative study of coping in mothers of children with an autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: A significant body of research exists that explores the stressors of raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There are fewer studies, however, that examine specific effective coping strategies of mothers of children with an ASD. This qualitative study explored mothers' perceptions of effective coping strategies for their parenting stressors. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 mothers to inquire about their personal coping methods. Interviews were coded and emergent themes identified that included coping strategies such as "me time," planning, knowledge is power, sharing the load, lifting the restraints of labels, and recognizing the joys. The information from this study may benefit mothers of children with ASD and inform pediatric therapists providing services to children with ASD and their families.
authors.affiliation: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut 06825, USA. kuhaneckh@sacredheart.edu
authors.forename: Heather Miller
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kuhaneck
authors.forename: Tajhma
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burroughs
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lemanczyk
authors.forename: Amy Rowntree
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Darragh
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*