title: Defining crisis in families of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: Parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder often report higher levels of depression, anxiety, and mental health-related issues. The combination of stressors and family adjustment difficulties can cause distress which may develop into a crisis. Understanding crisis in the family is important to mental health practice since it can serve as a guide in delivering service to at-risk families. This study investigated the subjective experience of crisis in 155 mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Thematic analysis revealed that crisis is characterized by factors influencing four major areas: demands, internal capabilities, external resources, and subjective appraisal. Understanding what crisis means to families of individuals with autism spectrum disorder can help inform effective preventative and crisis services.
authors.affiliation: York University, Canada jonweiss@yorku.ca.
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.affiliation: York University, Canada.
authors.forename: Aranda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wingsiong
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canada.
authors.forename: Yona
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lunsky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: autism spectrum disorder; crisis; family; qualitative study