Finding meaning in parenting a child with Asperger syndrome: correlates of sense making and benefit finding

This study explored the nature of two construals of meaning, benefit finding and sense making, in parents of a child with Asperger syndrome, and examined relations between both meaning constructs and the Double ABCX family stress model variables (initial stressor and pile-up of demands, appraisal, s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research in developmental disabilities 2004-05, Vol.25 (3), p.245-264
Main Authors: Pakenham, Kenneth I, Sofronoff, Kate, Samios, Christina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adjustment (to Environment)
Adult
Asperger Syndrome
Asperger Syndrome - rehabilitation
Attitude
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child Rearing
Coping
Correlation
Family Health
family stress
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Illness and personality
Illness, stress and coping
making meaning
Male
Middle Aged
Models, Theoretical
parent adjustment
Parent Attitudes
Parent-Child Relations
Parenting
Parents
Psychology and medicine
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Social Support
Stress, Psychological
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Summary:This study explored the nature of two construals of meaning, benefit finding and sense making, in parents of a child with Asperger syndrome, and examined relations between both meaning constructs and the Double ABCX family stress model variables (initial stressor and pile-up of demands, appraisal, social support, coping strategies and adjustment) [H.I. McCubbin, J.M. Patterson, Social Stress and the Family: Advances and Developments in Family Stress Theory and Research, Haworth, New York, 1983, pp. 7–37]. A total of 59 parents completed questionnaires. Content analyses of parents’ responses to questions inquiring about gains and sense making explanations revealed 8 benefit and 12 sense making themes. Results of correlations indicated that one or more of the meaning variables were related to each of the Double ABCX model predictors of parental adjustment. The meaning variables were positively related to adaptive coping processes: social support, self-efficacy, and problem-focused and emotional approach coping strategies.
ISSN:0891-4222
1873-3379
DOI:10.1016/j.ridd.2003.06.003