Normalization and perceived social support among family members of children with autism spectrum disorder / L. HAMAMA in Research in Autism, 126 (August 2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inResearch in Autism > 126 (August 2025) . - p.202654 Titre : Normalization and perceived social support among family members of children with autism spectrum disorder Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : L. HAMAMA, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.202654 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Autism spectrum disorder  Mothers  Fathers  Siblings  Normalization  Perceived social support Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background Caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increases stress for individuals and families, creating a need for coping strategies such as "normalization." Normalization, a behavioral strategy, helps families integrate chronic conditions such as ASD into daily life. It includes four aspects: "focusing on life," "placing ASD at the center," "balancing life with ASD," and "comparing to peers." To achieve normalization, families may need to rely on resources such as perceived social support (PSS), which has been found to enhance family functioning and coping. Aims This study sought to advance the understanding of how families adapt to and cope with ASD by focusing on normalization as reflected by its four aspects, among three family-member groups: mothers, fathers, and siblings. It also explored the relationship between the four normalization aspects and PSS from the following sources: family, friends, and significant others. Methods Using snowball and convenience sampling, 132 mothers, 133 fathers, and 112 siblings of children with ASD completed a background questionnaire, the Normalization Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results Differences in normalization were found only in the aspect of "placing ASD at the center," which was more pronounced in mothers than in fathers and siblings. PSS from family correlated with all normalization aspects across groups. For mothers and siblings, normalization was linked to PSS from family and friends. Fathers relied on family support, but not friend support. PSS from a significant other showed no association with normalization. Conclusions These findings highlight the central role of PSS in promoting normalization for all family members. Psychosocial professionals can assist family members in their efforts to achieve normalization by viewing their daily experiences from a "normalcy perspective" and by strengthening support networks among family and friends, particularly for mothers and siblings of children with ASD. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2025.202654 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=565 [article] Normalization and perceived social support among family members of children with autism spectrum disorder [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / L. HAMAMA, Auteur . - p.202654. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Research in Autism > 126 (August 2025) . - p.202654 Mots-clés : Autism spectrum disorder  Mothers  Fathers  Siblings  Normalization  Perceived social support Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background Caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increases stress for individuals and families, creating a need for coping strategies such as "normalization." Normalization, a behavioral strategy, helps families integrate chronic conditions such as ASD into daily life. It includes four aspects: "focusing on life," "placing ASD at the center," "balancing life with ASD," and "comparing to peers." To achieve normalization, families may need to rely on resources such as perceived social support (PSS), which has been found to enhance family functioning and coping. Aims This study sought to advance the understanding of how families adapt to and cope with ASD by focusing on normalization as reflected by its four aspects, among three family-member groups: mothers, fathers, and siblings. It also explored the relationship between the four normalization aspects and PSS from the following sources: family, friends, and significant others. Methods Using snowball and convenience sampling, 132 mothers, 133 fathers, and 112 siblings of children with ASD completed a background questionnaire, the Normalization Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results Differences in normalization were found only in the aspect of "placing ASD at the center," which was more pronounced in mothers than in fathers and siblings. PSS from family correlated with all normalization aspects across groups. For mothers and siblings, normalization was linked to PSS from family and friends. Fathers relied on family support, but not friend support. PSS from a significant other showed no association with normalization. Conclusions These findings highlight the central role of PSS in promoting normalization for all family members. Psychosocial professionals can assist family members in their efforts to achieve normalization by viewing their daily experiences from a "normalcy perspective" and by strengthening support networks among family and friends, particularly for mothers and siblings of children with ASD. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2025.202654 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=565

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