The Occupational Experiences and Subjective Well-Being of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Mothers of children with autism may have different occupational experience from mothers of typical children due to their children's unique characteristics. They may lack of rest and experience more frustration and unpleasant affection than mothers of typical children, so their subjective well-being (SWB) may be affected. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of occupational experiences and the SWB between mothers of children with autism and mothers of typical children. Forty mothers with a child who aged between 2~6 and was diagnosed with autism were recruited from the rehabilitation department of hospitals or developmental centers in Taipei area. Another forty mothers with a typical child of the same age range were recruited as a comparison group. All the mothers recorded their daily occupations with a diary-log for one week and rated the levels of productivity, restoration and pleasure they experienced during each occupation. The mothers' SWB levels were then measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The daily occupational experiences and SWB levels of the two groups of mothers were compared by using independent t tests. The results showed that, compared with the mothers of typical children, mothers of children with autism experienced less restoration and pleasure in their daily occupations, and their levels of SWB were also lower. However, the average restoration and pleasure experience of mothers of children with autism was greater than neutral. As to the subjective well-being, their positive affect were greater than their negative affect. These results indicated that the mothers had adapted to the situation. However, not all the mothers adapted well. The results of this study informed the health care professionals ' to concern the occupational experiences and the SWB of mothers of children with autism and to provide necessary support and assistance to them.