Ae Ran Lee; Sun Woo Hong; Ji Soo Kim; Se Jin Ju

doi:10.4040/jkan.2010.40.6.808

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Original Article
Life Transition of Mothers of Children with Autism: Ae Ran Lee, Sun Woo Hong, Ji Soo Kim, Se Jin Ju; Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2010;40(6):808-819.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.6.808
Published online: December 31, 2010

¹Professor, Department of Nursing, Wonkwang Health Science College, Iksan, Korea.

²Instructor, Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea.

³Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea.

⁴Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Namseoul University, Cheonan, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Hong, Sun Woo. 1302/1204, Mokdong APT, 327 Sinjeongdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul 158-773, Korea. Tel: 82-10-2084-7208, swhongks77@freechal.com

• Received: August 6, 2010 • Accepted: December 28, 2010

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Abstract
NOTES
REFERENCES

Abstract

Purpose
While there are a number of studies on children with disabilities, there have been few studies on mothers of children with autism. The purpose of this study was to explore the process of life transition of mothers who have children with autism.
Methods
From June 2007 to May 2009, the researcher interviewed 15 mothers of children with autism living in Seoul City, Gyeonggi or Chonbuk Provinces, and then analyzed the data gathered using the constant comparative method of grounded theory.
Results
"Living together holding a string of fate" was a core category showing along the continuum of life. The basic social process of life transition encompassed 5 stages: stages of denying, wandering, devoting, mind controlling, and finally accepting. These five stages proceeded in phases, though returned back to the wandering stage occasionally.
Conclusion
This study has opened the door to understanding how mothers of children with autism experienced life transition. The findings suggest that differentiated support and care at each stage should be given and there is the need to develop transition assessment tools for mothers of children with autism.
Keywords: Autistic disorder; Mothers; Transition; Qualitative research

This study was financially supported by the research fund of Wonkwang Health Science College in 2010.

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Figure 1

Concept analysis by paradigm model.

Figure 2

Process of life transition of mothers of children with autism.

Table 1

Concepts and Categories according to Paradigm

Figure & Data

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