Experiences of Jewish American mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

This study examined the experiences of Jewish American mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the extent to which they experienced affiliate stigma. The overall research question was: What are the experiences of Jewish American mothers relating to their child diagnosed with ASD? The following sub question guided the scope of this study: To what extent do these mothers report feelings of affiliate stigma? This study is a qualitative, phenomenological study as defined by Braun and Clarke (2022), Creswell and Poth (2018), Miles et al. (2020), Padgett (2017), and Terry and Hayfield (2021). The data were gathered through semistructured interviews and then analyzed using thematic analysis (TA), as described by Braun and Clarke, with coding facilitated by ATLAS.ti software. The sample consisted of 16 mothers of children with ASD who identify as Jewish American and live in Northern New Jersey. The themes of the mothers’ experiences were belonging matters, mothers’ emotions and behavioral consequences, the need for friendship, affiliate stigma precludes belonging, and making meaning, meeting challenges, and personal growth. ¶The findings of the study contribute greatly to all areas of social work practice by informing social work professionals about the nuanced experiences of mothers of children with autism within a Jewish American community. The study findings add to scholarship by delving into the unique cultural perspectives and lived experiences of this population. Furthermore, the study findings can be used to inform future qualitative research in other cultural contexts and broader quantitative research