Social Support Network Of Mothers Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders And Its Function

Children with autism spectrum disorders are characterized by social deficits, communication difficulties, stereotyped or repetitive behaviors and interests. Raising children with ASDs has a profound impact on their families system. Mothers of children with ASDs are in a long-term high-pressure state and demonstrate seriously adverse psychological symptoms. Mothers’poor mental health in turn affects development of children with ASDs. Social support can alleviate the pressure of the mother of children with ASDs and improve their happiness and quality of life, also can improve the mother’s parenting ability and parental attitude. Previous researchers tend to study social support for parents of children with ASDs from the subjective appraisal approach. But the relationship between the support recipient and providers will affect the content and effectiveness of social support. Therefore, current study measures social support networks of mothers of children with ASDs from the structural approach, to explore the type and quality of social support networks in different relations, and further explore its role to the happiness.The current study interviewed64mothers with ASDs, to study their social support network. This study explored the characteristics of social support network of mothers of children with ASDs in China. Then to further explore the function of social support network of mothers of children with ASDs. The results of the study showed that:(1) Social support network size and network relationship quality of mothers of children with ASDs showed significant differences on variables such as maternal age, children’s age and school stage, family income and family type.(2) Spouse, family members and friends provide instrumental support and emotional support to mothers of children with ASDs. Teachers and other autistic children parents provide information support to mothers of children with ASDs.(3) Relations contact frequency of information support network influence mother’s feelings of reassurance of worth and guidance; size of instrumental support network influence mother’s feeling of all dimensions of perceived social support; size of emotional support network influence mother’s feeling of attachment.(4) Social support network size and the closeness of the relationship influence the effectiveness of social support, thereby affecting perceived social support, and ultimately play a role in well-being of the mother.According to the research results, some advices are following:(1) it’s needed to expand the sources of information support to mothers of children with ASDs. Professionals should keep frequency contact and supply support continuity to mothers of children with ASDs.(2) Low educational level and low income mothers are less involved in relevant associations and less access to training information. So these mothers should be given more support.(3) Instrumental support provided family members, such as care of children and financial assistance, play an important role to mothers of children with ASDs.(4) Mothers of children with ASDs in schooling stages of autism spectrum disorders, have many differences in their demand. Provide appropriate support service to different stages mother should be based on their different needs.