Self-Compassion in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Analysis

Bohadana, Gal; Morrissey, Shirley; Paynter, Jessica

doi:10.1007/s10803-020-04612-2

Original Paper
Published: 12 July 2020

Self-Compassion in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Analysis

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders volume 51, pages 1290–1303 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Emerging quantitative research found self-compassion to be a unique predictor of parental stress in parents of children with ASD above other predictors. However, research on the lived experience of self-compassion in families of children with ASD is limited. Using a qualitative thematic analysis approach, 19 mothers of children with ASD with a mean age of 39.19 years (SD = 3.56, Range = 31.00–50.00 years) were interviewed about their lived experiences of stress and self-compassion. Themes derived from interviews include: the impact and causes of stress, benefits of self-compassion, barriers to self-compassion, and aids to self-compassion. The findings deepen our understanding of the experience of self-compassion in this population. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the parents who participated in this research. This research was completed as part of a PhD.

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Affiliations

School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, 4215, Australia
Gal Bohadana, Shirley Morrissey & Jessica Paynter
Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
Jessica Paynter

Authors

Gal Bohadana
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Shirley Morrissey
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Jessica Paynter
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Contributions

GB conceived the study, co-ordinated the study, conducted the interviews and collected the data, assisted with design and completion of thematic analyses, and drafted the manuscript, as well as revised the manuscript according to the reviewers’ comments. JP and SM assisted with co-ordination of the study, the design of the analysis, the inter-rating coding, the revision of the manuscript, and interpretation of the findings. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Gal Bohadana.

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Bohadana, G., Morrissey, S. & Paynter, J. Self-Compassion in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 51, 1290–1303 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04612-2

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Published: 12 July 2020
Issue Date: April 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04612-2

Keywords

Qualitative
Self-compassion
Parenting
Mothers of children with ASD
Parent stress