Abstract

FERREIRA, Marilise  and  SMEHA, Luciane Najar. The experience of being a mother of a child with autism in the singleparenthood context. Psicol. rev. (Belo Horizonte) [online]. 2018, vol.24, n.2, pp. 462-481. ISSN 1677-1168.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5752/P.1678-9563.2018v24n2p462-481.

This study aimed to learn about the experience of mothering a child with Autism in a single-parent context. Four mothers of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder were the subjects of a qualitative research. A semi-structured interview was used. Afterwards, the data were submitted to qualitative textual analysis. The results revealed that the feelings and challenges they experience are similar to those from mothers who are not in the single-parent context. It is believed that the difference might be concerning the intensity, that is, in the single-parent context, as the difficulties might be enhanced due to the absence of a partner. About the possibility of a new emotional relationship, when there is one, though remote, it is not centered on the need for help to provide childcare but to gain emotional support. Among the factors that contribute to the maintenance of singleparenting, we can highlight the prioritization of the mother role, the child’s adolescence in addition to a restrict supportive back-up.

Keywords : Maternity; Autism spectrum disorder; Single-parent family.

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