Process of Self-Identity Transformation in Women with Autistic Adolescent

• Published in: The Journal of Nursing Research Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 55 - 64
• Main Authors: 徐畢卿(Bih-Ching Shu), 駱麗華(Li-Hua Lo), 林俐伶(Li-Ling Lin), 謝素真(Su-Chen Hsieh), 黎士嗚(Shi-Ming Li), 吳淑真(Shu-Chen Wu)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China (Republic : 1949- ) 台灣護理學會 01.03.2006; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; Attitude to Health; Autistic Disorder - psychology; Cost of Illness; Family Health; Female; Human Development; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Life Change Events; Longitudinal Studies; Maternal Behavior; Mothers - psychology; Narration; Nurse's Role; Nursing Methodology Research; Psychology, Adolescent; Self Concept; Social Support; Surveys and Questionnaires; Taiwan; Workload; Taiwan; 青少年子女; 自閉症; 自我認同; mothering; connection; 為人母; adolescent children; autism; 關係連結; self-identity
• ISSN: 1682-3141
• DOI: 10.1097/01.JNR.0000387562.11447.a1

The purpose of this study was to understand the self-identity transformation in women with adolescent autistic children. In this study, in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Eight mothers were recruited who had autistic children aged 13~21 and who were those childrenʼs primary caregivers. Each mother was interviewed from one to four times. Four themes emerged through these mothers rethinking their connection with others during middle age. These included (1) relationships revisited; (2) self-awareness inspiration; (3) reconnection constructed; and (4) new self-identity formed. Results are hoped to provide valuable information for health professionals to understand how mothers of autistic adolescents connect with others and with their self-identity during middle age.