“Tears, Tantrums & Transformation”: A Phenomenological Study On The Coping Strategies Of Filipino Parents In Raising a Child With Autism

Abstract

Autism is a lifelong disability and because of this, multiple issues have confounded parents which have led them to experience enduring stress and other health risks. Coping strategies are essential in order for parents to actively provide appropriate needs for their children, maintain their health and well-being, and also to find meaning in their parenting journey despite the circumstances brought by autism. By understanding the cultural values of families, clinicians can be more effective in establishing treatment plans for children with autism as well as the parents who struggle in addressing the challenges of autism, and also by becoming aware of how some cultures embrace children with special needs. The study aimed to explore the coping strategies and different methods/techniques that Filipino parents utilize in raising a child with autism. To get a better understanding of the aforementioned, the research utilized a phenomenological, qualitative approach. To ensure comprehensiveness in data gathering, all the questions prepared by the researcher were asked to six parents in a semi-structured, open-ended interview. Results showed that parents employ many coping resources (financial, emotional, psychological, spiritual, relational, intellectual) that are congruent with the stressors they experience which help them effectively cope with the challenges they experience. Specifically, parents utilize patience, compassion, acceptance, cognitive reframing, positive appraisal, adjustment, observation and having open communication. Moreover, parents cope with the adverse behavioral problems of their child by utilizing different methods/techniques such as counting down, maintaining eye contact, speaking in a calm tone, constant repetition of rules and fostering a genuine social environment. Strong Catholic faith and solid family cohesion and support played a role in the coping strategies employed by parents as it is a source of strength, meaning and encouragement.