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Perceptions of Parenting, Self-Compassion, and Meaning in Life Among Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

What's the study about?

I am a researcher from the University of Kentucky, inviting you to participate in an online survey about perceptions related to parenting, self-compassion, and meaning in life among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).The purpose of this study is to explore how perceptions related to parenting influence the process of finding meaning in life for mothers raising children with ASD, with a particular focus on the role of self-compassion. The goal is to better understand ways to enhance meaning in life and provide psychological support for mothers of children with ASD. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Kentucky

Who can participate?

  • Participants must be mothers of at least one child diagnosed with ASD under 18 years. old. If participants have more than one child with ASD, participants should choose one child for this research.
  • Participants are residing in either Kentucky or nationwide.
  • Participants must be over 18 years old.
  • Participants should be able to read and understand the survey in English.


What will participants be doing?

To participate in this survey, you will need a device that can connect to the internet, as a paper version of the survey will not be available. If you agree to participate in the study, you will be asked to complete the survey items related to their perceptions of parenting, self-compassion, and meaning in life. The survey will take about not exceeding 30 minutes to complete.

Why is this important?

The proposed study addresses a critical gap in understanding the positive psychological mechanisms that may help mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) manage the unique challenges they face. These mothers experience significantly higher
levels of parental stress compared to those raising children with other developmental disabilities or typically developing children.

Given the lifelong nature of parenting a child with autism and the central role that many mothers play as main caregivers, it is essential to explore factors that can mitigate the negative impacts of parental stress and enhance a sense of meaning and fulfillment in their lives. This research distinguishes itself from previous studies by focusing on the positive psychological constructs of self-compassion and meaning in life, rather than solely on stress and negative outcomes. By doing so, it aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the psychological experiences of these mothers and to identify potential avenues for psychological support.

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