Authors:
Fairthorne J, Fisher C, Bourke J, Leonard H
Authors notes:
Psychology Research 4(8): 666-684
Keywords:
quality of life, autism, intellectual disability, mothers, qualitative
Abstract:
In order to identify factors affecting the quality of life of mothers of children with both autism and intellectual disability, the first author interviewed 16 mothers of affected 11-24 year olds and transcribed audio recordings of the interviews.
The first two authors analysed the resulting texts using a hermeneutical phenomenological approach.
Mothers described living with their child's challenging behaviours, adapting to the increased demands and resultant isolation as lowering their quality of life.
They described how surviving had strong negative impacts on their health and relationships. A majority of mothers described rewards associated with their children.