Differences in Life Transition Process of Parents Caring for Children with Autism: Based on the Socio-Demographic Characteristics

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify differences in the life transition process of parents caring for children with autism according to parents' socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS: Participants were 194 parents caring for children with autism. Data were collected from December 2013 to February 2014 through self-report questionnaires, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA with SPSS/WIN 20.0. RESULTS: Mean scores for despairing or accepting phases were higher than those for denying or wandering phases in the life transition process. According to parents' gender, educational level, and job, there were some significant differences in the denying and wandering phases. Differences in denying phase by education (p=.033), job (p=.004) were significant. Respondents with higher educational level, and having a job showed a lower level of denying than other respondents. Wandering phase differed significantly by gender (p=.009) and job (p=.001). Mothers and those who did not have a job showed a higher level of wandering than fathers and those who had a job. However, there was no difference in the despairing or accepting phases. CONCLUSION: The life transition phase of parents with autistic children needs to be assessed to provide differentiated and intensive support program and help them move to the accepting phase.