Life Transition of Mothers of Children with Autism

Lee, Ae Ran; Hong, Sun Woo; Kim, Ji Soo; Ju, Se Jin

doi:10.4040/jkan.2010.40.6.808

J Korean Acad Nurs. 2010 Dec;40(6):808-819. Korean.
Published online Dec 31, 2010.
https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.6.808

Original Article

Life Transition of Mothers of Children with Autism

Ae Ran Lee,¹ Sun Woo Hong,² Ji Soo Kim,³ and Se Jin Ju⁴

Author information

Author notes

Copyright and License

- ¹Professor, Department of Nursing, Wonkwang Health Science College, Iksan, Korea.
- ²Instructor, Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea.
- ³Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea.
- ⁴Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Namseoul University, Cheonan, Korea.
Address reprint requests to: Hong, Sun Woo. 1302/1204, Mokdong APT, 327 Sinjeongdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul 158-773, Korea. Tel: 82-10-2084-7208, Email: swhongks77@freechal.com

Received August 06, 2010; Accepted December 28, 2010.

Abstract

Purpose

While there are a number of studies on children with disabilities, there have been few studies on mothers of children with autism. The purpose of this study was to explore the process of life transition of mothers who have children with autism.

Methods

From June 2007 to May 2009, the researcher interviewed 15 mothers of children with autism living in Seoul City, Gyeonggi or Chonbuk Provinces, and then analyzed the data gathered using the constant comparative method of grounded theory.

Results

"Living together holding a string of fate" was a core category showing along the continuum of life. The basic social process of life transition encompassed 5 stages: stages of denying, wandering, devoting, mind controlling, and finally accepting. These five stages proceeded in phases, though returned back to the wandering stage occasionally.

Conclusion

This study has opened the door to understanding how mothers of children with autism experienced life transition. The findings suggest that differentiated support and care at each stage should be given and there is the need to develop transition assessment tools for mothers of children with autism.

Keywords

Autistic disorder; Mothers; Transition; Qualitative research

Figures

Figure 1
Concept analysis by paradigm model.

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Figure 2
Process of life transition of mothers of children with autism.

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Tables

Table 1
Concepts and Categories according to Paradigm

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Notes

This study was financially supported by the research fund of Wonkwang Health Science College in 2010.

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