Experiences of Mothers of School-Age Autistic Children Perceiving Affiliate Stigma

Abstract

The Qualitative descriptive study aimed to defining and explaining experiences of mothers of school-age autistic children perceiving affiliate stigma. The informants were seven mothers who had been primary caregivers of school-age autistic children aged 6 to 12 years old for at least three years and whose perceived affiliate stigma score was higher than 44 points. Data were collected by means of in – depth interviews and analyzed using Content analysis. The study findings revealed that the definition of affiliate stigma of mothers of school-age autistic children referred to negative reactions from people in society that reflected their rejection, lack of understanding, unacceptance, discrimination, and disgust toward school-age autistic children and their mothers, all of which were caused by autistic children’s inappropriate gestures and behaviors. As such, the mothers felt sad, miserable, and embarrassed since their children were stigmatized which leads themselves to be stigmatized because they were the mother and primary caregiver. In addition, the experiences of mothers of school-age autistic children perceiving affiliate stigma can be categorized into 4 major issues: 1) our child being different from other children, 2) perceived expressions of people in society, 3) effects of disgust, and 4) mothers’ adaptation. The study findings could be used as baseline data to generate profound understanding and as a guideline to further develop the body of knowledge and to devise a plan to more effectively offer assistance and support mothers to take care of school-age autistic children.