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Experiences of Pasifika Mothers’ Caring for a Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Dissertation(751.51 KB)

Date

2022

Authors

Masi, Lesieli

Supervisor

Shepherd, Daniel

Item type

Dissertation

Degree name

Bachelor of Health Science (Honours)

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Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

This research explores the experiences of Pasifika mothers’ caring for a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Even though caregiving is a well-researched area that focuses on the pressures and challenges that are imposed on caregivers and the resources accessible to help caregivers meet those needs. Pasifika caregiver experience is an area that is not quite looked upon. There are several emotional, cognitive, intervention and coping mechanisms such as daily planning, emotional neutrality, and receiving informational and social support, which are used to alleviate burdens. Despite being useful, several of these therapeutic models are based on studies regarding maternal populations. The New Zealand’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Guidelines (2008), and the latest New Zealand Carers Strategy Action Plan 2019-2023, make it suitable to perform qualitative research to procure an even more in-depth and thorough understanding of Pasifika mothers’ experiences of providing care in New Zealand. Five Pasifika mothers were invited to participate with the help of two Pasifika support groups. Data were collected via zoom semi-structured interviews, and an interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to recognise and pick out three superordinate themes: support, coping mechanisms and emotional aspects of caregiving. The superordinate themes included eight emergent themes: 1) Experiences of support, 2) Support for Pasifika mothers, 3) Information searching, 4) Daily routine and planning, 5) Comparisons with neuro-typical parenting, 6) Normalising ASD in Pacific cultures, 7) Emotional burden and 8) Positive emotions. The findings support prior studies and demonstrate the concerns regarding the inadequate supply of information and its understanding. The findings also suggest that the current organisational initiatives and guidelines are relevant and can be applied to the Pasifika population of mothers’ caring for an autistic child.

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https://hdl.handle.net/10292/15077

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Bachelor with Honours Dissertations - open access