Han Fengying, Gao Xin
Department of Sociology and Social Work, School of Philosophy and Sociology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
Social Work Department, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia.
Behav Sci (Basel). 2025 Mar 23;15(4):409. doi: 10.3390/bs15040409.
This study aimed to explore the dynamic adjustment mechanisms of the families of school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in China in coping with challenges, focusing on the roles of belief systems, organizational processes, and communication strategies, as well as the influence of the China-specific cultural and policy contexts. Based on Walsh's family resilience theory, a qualitative research methodology was used, with semi-structured interviews to collect experience data from these families, and thematic analysis was used to summarize the main challenges and coping processes. The study found that the families mainly faced the following challenges: difficulties in family care, parenting burnout, educational plights, and inadequate community support systems. Regarding belief systems, families enhanced their resilience through emotional acceptance and redefined expectations; regarding organizational processes, families optimized their internal operations through the flexible division of labor and decision-making patterns and actively mobilized external resources; and, regarding communication, reflection and sharing fostered emotional connection within the family, while compromise and patience enhanced the ability to integrate external resources. In addition, the traditional Chinese culture and inadequate policy support had a significant impact on the formation of family resilience. This study validates the cross-cultural applicability of family resilience theory and suggests enhancing family resilience through psychological support, policy optimization, and social advocacy.
本研究旨在探讨中国自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）学龄儿童家庭应对挑战的动态调整机制，重点关注信念系统、组织过程和沟通策略的作用，以及中国特定文化和政策背景的影响。基于沃尔什的家庭复原力理论，采用定性研究方法，通过半结构化访谈收集这些家庭的经验数据，并运用主题分析总结主要挑战和应对过程。研究发现，家庭主要面临以下挑战：家庭照料困难、育儿倦怠、教育困境以及社区支持系统不足。在信念系统方面，家庭通过情感接纳增强复原力并重新定义期望；在组织过程方面，家庭通过灵活的分工和决策模式优化内部运作，并积极调动外部资源；在沟通方面，反思和分享促进了家庭内部的情感联系，而妥协和耐心增强了整合外部资源的能力。此外，中国传统文化和政策支持不足对家庭复原力的形成有显著影响。本研究验证了家庭复原力理论的跨文化适用性，并建议通过心理支持、政策优化和社会倡导来增强家庭复原力。
