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The development of a stigma support intervention to improve the mental health of family carers of autistic children: suggestions from the autism community

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well

Abstract

Parents and family carers of autistic children report poorer mental health than any other parents. Stigma surrounding autism plays a significant role in the mental health of family carers of autistic children, often leaving families feeling isolated. Yet there are currently no interventions available to support families with stigma. In order to guide the design and development of an intervention to improve the psychological well-being of parents and carers of autistic children by addressing the stigma they may experience, we surveyed the autism community (n = 112) about their views and suggestions to make such intervention more successful. The thematic analysis of the qualitative responses revealed that respondents wished for public awareness to be raised and suggested that education would be the key to this. Respondents also – recommended that parental self-esteem and self-compassion skills should be increased and that they would benefit from ‘ready-made’

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 58-77

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

European Journal of Mental Health (Volume 14, Issue 1)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 18/03/2019
  • Published - 03/06/2019

Publication status

Published - 03/06/2019

ISSN

1788-4934

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/624134
  • Scopus: 85068518415

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