Family-focused autism spectrum disorder research: A review of the utility of family systems approaches

Abstract

A family member with an autism spectrum disorder presents pervasive and bidirectional influences on the entire family system, suggesting a need for family-focused autism spectrum disorder research. While there has been increasing interest in this research area, family-focused autism spectrum disorder research can still be considered relatively recent, and there are limitations to the existing literature. The purpose of this article is to provide theoretical and methodological directions for future family-focused autism spectrum disorder research. In particular, this article proposes Family Systems approaches as a common theoretical framework for future family-focused autism spectrum disorder research by considering theoretical concepts such as Boundaries, Ambiguous Loss, Resilience and Traumatic Growth. We discuss reasons why these concepts are important to researching families living with autism spectrum disorder and provide recommendations for future research. The potential for research grounded in Family Systems approaches to influence clinical support services is also discussed. Family-focused autism spectrum disorder research: A review of the utility of family systems approaches Elizabeth K Cridland, Sandra C Jones, Christopher A Magee and Peter Caputi Abstract A family member with an autism spectrum disorder presents pervasive and bidirectional influences on the entire family system, suggesting a need for family-focused autism spectrum disorder research. While there has been increasing interest in this research area, family-focused autism spectrum disorder research can still be considered relatively recent, and there are limitations to the existing literature. The purpose of this article is to provide theoretical and methodological directions for future family-focused autism spectrum disorder research. In particular, this article proposes Family Systems approaches as a common theoretical framework for future family-focused autism spectrum disorder research by considering theoretical concepts such as Boundaries, Ambiguous Loss, Resilience and Traumatic Growth. We discuss reasons why these concepts are important to researching families living with autism spectrum disorder and provide recommendations for future research. The potential for research grounded in Family Systems approaches to influence clinical support services is also discussed.

Characteristics and components of children’s and adolescents’ resilience in disasters in Iran: a qualitative study

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Stress and Family Quality of Life in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parent Gender and the Double ABCX Model

“…The current findings suggests that such a comprehensive approach, in comparison to individual attention on family resources or coping strategies, may improve parental outcomes for families of children with ASD. In doing so, support services and intervention programs aimed at parents of children with ASD, of all ages, should attempt to work with the family (Cridland et al 2014) to assess and improve levels of FSOC within family members (i.e., mothers, fathers, siblings), emphasising these three domains of family life.…”

Correlação entre a oralidade de crianças com distúrbios do espectro do autismo e o nível de estresse de seus pais

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