This work originally appeared in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Abstract
The occupational role of a mother parenting a child with developmental and socially disruptive conduct is unique. How moth- ers express their experiences is poorly explored in the literature. This study aims to better understand mothers’ description of their unique experiences in order to better inform interventions. Using a narrative inquiry approach, mothers convey unique stressors related to two central themes (role fulfillment and role support) during a journal writing intervention. Studying mothers’ own words as they attempted to make sense of their experiences aligns with the foundational principles of narrative medicine: People make sense of their experiences through storytelling. Knowledge gained from this research underscores the importance of centering a mother’s voice in order to create effective interventions.