Experiences, Difficulties, and Coping Mechanisms of Parents With Children With Autism: A Phenomenology Study in Türkiye.

This study interviewed 12 parents in Turkey about raising children with autism. Parents shared both challenges and positive experiences, using different ways to cope. Five main areas emerged: daily parenting experiences, reactions when getting the autism diagnosis, social and emotional difficulties, worries about the future, and what support they need. The study shows parents need ongoing support throughout their lives and recommends better policies, support groups, and childcare help.

This qualitative study explored the experiences of 12 parents raising children with autism spectrum disorder in Türkiye through semi-structured interviews. Five key themes emerged: parenting challenges with ASD, family reactions to diagnosis, psychological and social difficulties, future-related concerns, and perceived support needs. Parents reported experiencing both challenges and positive emotions while using various coping strategies. The study highlights the complex, lifelong nature of parenting a child with ASD and emphasizes the need for comprehensive bio-psycho-social support systems.

Researchers recommend improving health and social policies, establishing formal support networks, and enhancing access to childcare services to better support these families.

Findings suggest need for comprehensive, long-term family support services addressing psychological, social, and practical needs. Healthcare systems should develop formal support networks and improve access to childcare services. Multi-disciplinary approaches should consider both challenges and positive aspects of parenting children with ASD.

Small sample size of 12 parents limits generalizability. Single-country study in Türkiye may not reflect experiences in other cultural contexts. Qualitative design provides depth but cannot establish prevalence of findings across broader populations.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has the potential to create a number of challenges and problems for parents due to having lifelong problem behaviors. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences, difficulties, and coping mechanisms of parents with children with ASD through a multidisciplinary team approach. This study employed a descriptive qualitative research methodology. Data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face individual interviews with 12 parents, guided by a structured interview protocol.

Data management and analysis were conducted using the MAXQDA program. A thematic approach was used in data analysis. Participants reported experiencing both challenges and positive emotions related to raising a child diagnosed with ASD, and described a variety of coping strategies. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed five key themes centered on parental perspectives: (1) parenting a child with ASD, (2) families' reactions to the diagnosis, (3) psychological and social difficulties, (4) future-related concerns, and (5) perceived support needs.

Parents of children have ASD have to cope with many problems throughout their lives. Resources are needed to support parents bio-psycho-socially. Enhancing the provision of standardized education and support to parents can be achieved by improving existing health and social policies, establishing formal support networks, and facilitating access to childcare services.