Quality of life and the coping process for mothers of boys from the haitien community presenting autism spectrum disorders
This exploratory study is done to explore the consequences of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) (American Psychiatric Association, (APA), 2013) on the quality of life of immigrant families and on their different coping strategies. To this effect, twelve mothers of haitian origin were interviewed. These mothers of boys between 5 and 18 y. old and subject to ASDs, were met to get their answer to 6 questionnaires designed and adapted by Cappe (2009). It allowed us to delve deeper into the following subjects: 1) information concerning the child and the family; 2) perceived stress; 3) perceived social support; 4) perceived control; 5) strategies to cope and 6) quality of life. The results of this study were analyzed as per a descriptive quantitative method and it directs us toward paths for research and intervention aiming to accompany mothers of boys affected by ASDs. Qualitative data were also collected to enrich and support the results of the study. Mostly, mothers of haitian origin perceive their control on the beginning and evolution of ASDs for their child inside the boundaries of their religious belief. This study has shown that they do have a quality of life which is average and that their strategies to cope either prioritize the solutions of the problem or finding social support. Future study and research on the subject should concentrate on the importance of religion in coping for parents of haitian origin. Studies on tools permitting to define this approach to cope would be advantageous. Furthermore, interventions taking into account the values and way of thinking of these families confronting ASDs would be beneficial.