Problem: Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience higher levels of stress compared to mothers of typically developing children. This study identified mothers' perceptions of the stress caused by lifelong caregiving to a child with ASD.
Methods: The current study was conducted in Iran using qualitative methods. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-seven mothers. Content analysis was used to analyze and categorize the data.
Findings: The main categories included (1) psychological concerns and suffering and (2) sociocultural challenges. The first category consisted of two subcategories, including disruption in mother-child relationships and fears and worries. Also, the second category included subcategories of cultural constraints and lack of social support.
Conclusions: In this study, the mothers of autistic children experienced psychosocial pain. Identifying the stressors for these mothers could lead to appropriate planning to provide psychological, social, and cultural support for them in Iranian society.
Keywords: autism spectrum disorders; mother; qualitative study; stress.
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