Investigation of the Roles of Parents of Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Context of Gender

Gülnur Özdemir; Merve Nur Oktar

Article Details

Investigation of the Roles of Parents of Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Context of Gender

Authors:

Gülnur Özdemir | Merve Nur Oktar

Publisher:

Hacettepe University

Main Topics:

Sosyal Hizmetler (Diğer)

Journal:

Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet Vol.36 Issue 3, pp.423-453

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355531

pISSN:

2147-3374

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This study examines the experiences of parents of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD through a gender lens and explores the roles they assume in this process. Qualitative methodology was employed, and a phenomenological design focusing on understanding participants experiences was used. The study group consists of 16 individuals, including eight mothers and eight fathers, selected through purposive sampling from parents of children with ASD. Data was collected through face-to-face and online interviews using a semi-structured interview form. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using MAXQDA 2024 software, revealing two main themes: Social Construction of Motherhood: Sanctified Obligations and Invisible Labor and Social Construction of Fatherhood: Power and Redemption. The study examined how social gender roles of mothers and fathers are defined and the impact of these roles on the division of responsibilities between parents. Furthermore, the study discussed the dynamics of family life in the context of disability and the influence of gendered social structures on parents, evaluated from the perspective of feminist theory and social work.

 This study examines the experiences of parents of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD through a gender lens and explores the roles they assume in this process. Qualitative methodology was employed, and a phenomenological design focusing on understanding participants experiences was used. The study group consists of 16 individuals, including eight mothers and eight fathers, selected through purposive sampling from parents of children with ASD. Data was collected through face-to-face and online interviews using a semi-structured interview form. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using MAXQDA 2024 software, revealing two main themes: Social Construction of Motherhood: Sanctified Obligations and Invisible Labor and Social Construction of Fatherhood: Power and Redemption. The study examined how social gender roles of mothers and fathers are defined and the impact of these roles on the division of responsibilities between parents. Furthermore, the study discussed the dynamics of family life in the context of disability and the influence of gendered social structures on parents, evaluated from the perspective of feminist theory and social work.

 This study examines the experiences of parents of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD through a gender lens and explores the roles they assume in this process. Qualitative methodology was employed, and a phenomenological design focusing on understanding participants experiences was used. The study group consists of 16 individuals, including eight mothers and eight fathers, selected through purposive sampling from parents of children with ASD. Data was collected through face-to-face and online interviews using a semi-structured interview form. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using MAXQDA 2024 software, revealing two main themes: Social Construction of Motherhood: Sanctified Obligations and Invisible Labor and Social Construction of Fatherhood: Power and Redemption. The study examined how social gender roles of mothers and fathers are defined and the impact of these roles on the division of responsibilities between parents. Furthermore, the study discussed the dynamics of family life in the context of disability and the influence of gendered social structures on parents, evaluated from the perspective of feminist theory and social work.

 Araştırmada, otizm spektrum bozukluğu OSB tanısı almış çocuğa sahip ebeveynlerin deneyimlerini toplumsal cinsiyet bağlamında incelemek ve bu süreçte üstlendikleri rolleri anlamak ve yorumlamak amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada nitel yöntem tercih edilmiş ve katılımcıların deneyimlerini anlamaya odaklanan fenomenoloji deseni kullanılmıştır. Çalışma grubunu, OSB tanısı almış çocuğa sahip ebeveynler arasından amaçlı örneklem tekniğiyle belirlenen 8 anne ve 8 babadan oluşan toplam 16 kişi oluşturmaktadır. Veriler yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılarak yüz yüze ve çevrimiçi mülakatlarla toplanmıştır. Veriler MAXQDA 2024 kullanılarak refleksif tematik analizle çözümlenmiş ve Anneliğin Toplumsal İnşası: Kutsanmış Yükümlülükler ve Görünmez Emek, Babalığın Toplumsal İnşası: Güç ve Kurtarıcılık olmak üzere iki ana temaya ulaşılmıştır. Temalar çerçevesinde, annelerin ve babaların toplumsal cinsiyet rollerinin nasıl tanımlandığı ve bu rollerin ebeveynler arasındaki rol ve sorumluluk paylaşımına etkisi incelenmiştir. Ayrıca, engellilik bağlamında aile dinamikleri ve cinsiyetçi toplumsal yapıların ebeveynler üzerindeki yansımaları, feminist kuram ve sosyal hizmet perspektifinden değerlendirilmiştir.

Article Details

Investigation of the Roles of Parents of Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Context of Gender

Authors:

Gülnur Özdemir | Merve Nur Oktar

Publisher:

Hacettepe University

Main Topics:

Sosyal Hizmetler (Diğer)

Journal:

Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet Vol.36 Issue 3, pp.423-453

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355531

pISSN:

2147-3374

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Gender

Social WorkOtizm Spektrum Bozukluğu

Toplumsal Cinsiyet

Sosyal Hizmet

Issues

Article Details

Investigation of the Roles of Parents of Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Context of Gender

Authors: Gülnur Özdemir | Merve Nur Oktar

Publisher: Hacettepe University

Main Topics: Sosyal Hizmetler (Diğer)

Journal: Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet Vol.36 Issue 3, pp.423-453

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 7/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001355531

pISSN: 2147-3374

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Gender

Social WorkOtizm Spektrum Bozukluğu

Toplumsal Cinsiyet

Sosyal Hizmet

Issues

Authors:

Gülnur Özdemir | Merve Nur Oktar

Publisher:

Hacettepe University

Main Topics:

Sosyal Hizmetler (Diğer)

Journal:

Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet Vol.36 Issue 3, pp.423-453

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355531

pISSN:

2147-3374