National University of Singapore, Psychology, Singapore.
J Intellect Disabil Res. 2014 May;58(5):406-20. doi: 10.1111/jir.12034. Epub 2013 Mar 19.
There has been increasing interest in exploring the factors contributing to successful adaptation and family functioning in ethnically and culturally diverse families who raise children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), in order to inform more appropriate strength-based family support services. This pilot study used the Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response (FAAR) model as a theoretical framework to investigate the role of families' capabilities (coping strategies and resources of support) and positive meanings in raising a child with ASD in family functioning in an Asian context.
Sixty-five Singaporean parents of 3- to 11-year-old children with ASD completed a series of questionnaires on demands, coping strategies, social support, positive meanings and family functioning.
Families reported a number of helpful coping strategies. Coping through family integration/optimism was most helpful, followed by understanding the condition and by developing esteem and psychological stability. Reported capabilities, but not positive meanings, mediated the relationship between demands and family functioning.
The findings are discussed in relation to existing literature, possible specific cultural issues, and the strengths and limitations of the study. Implications for supporting families of children with ASD in different social and cultural contexts are also discussed.
越来越多的人对探索导致成功适应和家庭功能的因素感兴趣，这些因素存在于不同种族和文化的家庭中，他们抚养患有自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的儿童，以便为更合适的基于优势的家庭支持服务提供信息。本试点研究以家庭调整和适应反应（FAAR）模型为理论框架，探讨了在亚洲背景下，家庭功能中，家庭能力（应对策略和支持资源）和积极意义在抚养 ASD 儿童中的作用。
65 名新加坡 3 至 11 岁自闭症儿童的家长完成了一系列关于需求、应对策略、社会支持、积极意义和家庭功能的问卷。
家庭报告了一些有用的应对策略。通过家庭融合/乐观来应对最为有效，其次是了解病情和培养自尊心和心理稳定性。报告的能力而不是积极的意义，调节了需求和家庭功能之间的关系。
研究结果与现有文献、可能存在的特定文化问题以及研究的优势和局限性进行了讨论。还讨论了在不同社会和文化背景下支持 ASD 儿童家庭的意义。
