published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / abstract / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

Ph.D. (Educational Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

In recent years the number of studies on resilience emerging within the field of positive psychology has increased. However, such studies are limited within the South African context and so the proposed study aims to explore and describe the factors that facilitate adjustment and adaptation in South African families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. McCubbin, McCubbin and Thompson (2001) developed the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation which were used to conceptualise the family’s adaptation. Mothers (n = 19) from 19 families participated in the study. The families consisted of at least three members, of which two are parents and one a child younger than 18 years of age that has been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. A combination of non-probability purposive sampling and snowball sampling was used to select participants. The study had an exploratory and descriptive aim and employed triangulation of method, including both qualitative and quantitative data collection procedures. A biographical questionnaire and the following seven structured paper-and-pencil questionnaires were used: the Family Attachment and Changeability Index 8 (FACI8), the Family Crisis-oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (F-COPES), the Family Hardiness Index (FHI), the Family Problem-solving Communication (FPSC), the Family Time and Routine Index (FTRI), the Relative and Friend Support (RFS), and the Social Support Index (SSI). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the biographical information. Qualitative data were analysed by means of content analysis. Quantitative data were manipulated by means of correlation and regression analysis. The results from the quantitative analysis indicate three significant positive correlations with the FACI8. These variables were the family hardiness (measured by FHI), family problem-solving communication (measured by the FPSC), and family time and routines (measured by the FTRI). The findings from the qualitative analysis point out that social support, the spousal relationship and family time, togetherness and routines are the most important strength factors that contribute to the family’s adjustment and adaptation. Even though this study had a small sample size and several other limitations, the findings of this study could still assist in guiding specialised institutions toward providing more comprehensive information and support to families living with a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study also contributes to the studies on family resilience within a South African context.

This research project offered an overview of Autistic spectrum disorder and discussed the need for research regarding the family's role in treatment. The treatment framework examined in this research project was Applied Behavioral Analysis. The study took place at the University Center for Developmental disabilities (UCDD), located at California State University San Bernardino.

The purpose of this study is to identify the main stessors that parents experience when raising an autistic child and parents' perceptions of what can help them cope better. It is important that parenting stressors and coping strategies are identified as they relate to the age of the child with autism.

A multiple baseline design was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of a sibling training package including modeling, role-play, and feedback on play and engagement between children with autism and their siblings. The results of two experiments suggest that, following training, siblings of children with autism correctly implemented all trained interaction components. Additionally, Experiment II assessed and programmed generalization to other materials and a non-training setting. The results showed that some unprogrammed generalization to non-trained toys occurred. Conversely, siblings engaged in trained skills in a non-training setting (home) only following the experimenter's instructions to generalize. In both experiments, the siblings' overall engagement and physical proximity of play in training sessions increased significantly above baseline. This study extends previous research in that it includes additional stimulus and response generalization measures.

Parents with children diagnosed with autism face a variety of stressors. The typical approach to dealing with these stressors is pathological which focuses on the problem by attempting to eliminate or alleviate the stressors through counseling, behavioral therapy, tutoring, and/or drugs. The purpose of the current study was to assess an alternative approach, a constructional one, which focuses on solutions by teaching 3 parents to analyze their life, formulate goals, and develop programs to reach their goals building off of their strengths and assets. The by-product is the reduction or elimination of the stressors. The results suggest that the use of a constructional program is very effective in helping parents develop a new repertoire that will ultimately improve their overall quality of life.

Autistic Spectrum Disorders have shown to be some of the most disruptive and bizarre childhood developmental disorders, affecting all relationships within the family (Glass, 2001). The sibling relationship is possibly one of the most important relationships in childhood development, affecting cognitive and emotional adjustment (Dunn, 2000; Sanders, 2004). While the effects on parents of having a child with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder are well documented, there is very little qualitative research that explores the experience from the sibling‟s perspective. Using Family Systems Theory as a framework for understanding, the question asked in this study was: “What is the experience of having a sibling with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder?” The study made use of a phenomenological approach, which was useful in exploring the „lived world‟ of the participant. Making use of semi structured interviews, a focus group and various projective techniques and one participatory technique, three participants shared their thoughts, feelings and experiences of having a younger sibling with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Interpretive analysis guided by the Hermeneutic circle was used to analyze the data. The results showed a complex and protective relationship that also evoked feelings of frustration and embarrassment in the participants. While the relationship was difficult, there was no indication that the participants faced any emotional or adjustment difficulties. Furthermore, the effective coping mechanisms that were utilized by the participants were highlighted. The study also aimed to provide recommendations for care-givers and professionals, as well as future research in this area. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.