Open AccessToward an Understanding of Mothering: The Care Giving Process of Mothers With Autistic Children
Author(s) -
BihChing Shu,
Horng-Chang Hsieh,
Su-Chen Hsieh,
Shiming Li
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
the journal of nursing research/the journal of nursing research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1948-965X
pISSN - 1682-3141
DOI - 10.1097/01.jnr.0000347577.24468.ae
Subject(s) - meaning (existential) , grounded theory , qualitative research , psychology , developmental psychology , perception , autism , focus group , nursing , medicine , psychotherapist , sociology , social science , neuroscience , anthropology
The purpose of this study was to explore the care-giving experience of mothers with autistic children. In this qualitative study, a focus group and in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers with an autistic child to uncover the nature of their mothering experience. Data were analyzed for themes with the constant comparison approach of grounded theory. Three themes emerged: (a) the perception about their disabled child; (b) their special concerns for caring for this child and (c) reclaiming and discovering self through understanding the meaning of mothering. The results can help health workers to gain a deeper understanding of the care-giving process for mothers with an autistic child and facilitate mothers to find the meaning of care and their well-being.