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The wellbeing of family members of children on the Autism Spectrum
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Clutterbuck, Ruth (2009) The wellbeing of family members of children on the Autism Spectrum. DClinPsych thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b2334176~S15
Abstract
This thesis consists of three papers, a literature review, an empirical paper and
a reflective paper. The main focus of the literature review is on ‘understanding of
minds’ and the development of this ability in siblings of children with a diagnosis on
the autism spectrum (DAS). Evidence from clinical and non-clinical populations
suggests that this group may be particularly vulnerable with regard to developing
difficulties associated with an understanding of minds. Methodological issues are
discussed and the findings are summarised with particular reference to clinical and
ethical implications.
The empirical paper reports on a study of factors associated with the wellbeing
of parents of children with DAS. Measures of parental competence, child difficulties,
family cohesion, relationship satisfaction and the impact of the child with DAS on the
parental relationship and siblings, were all obtained from parents of school age
children with DAS. Parental competence, depression in the other partner, and family
and relationship variables were found to be associated with parental wellbeing.
Parental stress was predicted by child pro-social behaviour. Differences were found
between mothers and fathers on a number of variables. In addition to pro-social
behaviour, maternal stress was further predicted by child behaviour problems.
Maternal depression was predicted by age, the impact of the child on the parental
relationship and the impact of the child on siblings. Results were considered within
the context of a number of methodological issues. Implications for clinical
interventions for families of children with DAS were discussed.
The thesis concludes with reflective material drawn from observations made
whilst recruiting participants, collecting data and by contact with research
participants. The paper summarizes with an account of the areas of learning arising
from these reflections.
Item Type: | Thesis (DClinPsych) | ||||
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Subjects: | R Medicine > RC Internal medicine | ||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Autism spectrum disorders, Parents of autistic children -- Research, Brothers and sisters of autistic children -- Research | ||||
Official Date: | May 2009 | ||||
Dates: |
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Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | Department of Psychology | ||||
Thesis Type: | DClinPsych | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Kent, Sarah ; Watters, Camilla ; Knibbs, Jacky | ||||
Description: | Completed in conjunction with Coventry University. School of Health and Social Sciences. |
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Format of File: | |||||
Extent: | 184 leaves : charts | ||||
Language: | eng |
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