Risk and Protective Factors in the Lives of Caregivers of Persons With Autism: Caregivers' Perspectives.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this descriptive exploratory study is to understand the experience of being a caregiver of a person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the light of the resilience theory.


METHODS
Qualitative data were collected as a part of a larger quantitative study. Ninety-three caregivers completed this qualitative study and responded to the two open-ended questions. In the parent study, subjects were recruited by convenience sampling from the Interactive ASD Network (IAN).


RESULTS
The identified categories appeared to reflect three distinct categories consistent with the resilience theory, labeled as follows: risk factors, protective factors, and overlapping factors.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings help to inform the planning of tailored interventions to enhance caregivers' resilience.
Abir K. Bekhet, PhD, RN, HSMI, is Associate Professor of Mental Health Nursing, Marquette University College of Nursing, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; and.
Abir K
AK
Bekhet
Denise Matel-Anderson, APNP, RN, is Nursing Doctoral Student, Marquette University College of Nursing, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Denise
D
Matel-Anderson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000451:nursing*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D065840:Protective Factors; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
Autism spectrum disorders; caregivers; qualitative; resilience