The Dynamics of Marital Satisfaction of the Parents of Children with Autism: A Mixed Method Study

The aim of this study is to reveal that the levels of spouse-support and marital satisfaction perceptions of parents with autistic children. Also is aimed to figure out what is the predictors and dynamics/sources of the marital satisfaction of the parents. In line, a mixed method was used with qualitative and quantitative data. The study included 147 parents of autistic chidren aged 0-6 years and 142 parents of age-matched children who showed normal development. All participants had been married for 2-16 years. The quantitative data were collected via The Spouse Support Scale and Marriage Lives Scale. In the analysis of quantitative data, the MANOVA test and regression analysis were used. Qualitative data were collected via a Semi-Structured Interview Form which developed by the researchers. These data were obtained from 3 separate focus groups formed of 9 fathers and 12 mothers. The quantitative data showed that the parents of autistic children had lower perceptions of spouse support and lower levels of marital satisfaction compared to the parents of healthy children. When comparisons were made between the groups; the perceptions of emotional support, appreciation and social support of the parents of autistic children were found to be lower than those of the parents of normally developing children. No difference was determined between the groups in respect of the perceptions of economical and information support. Significant predictors of marital satisfaction of the mothers of autistic children were found to be emotional support, appreciation, social support, economical support and information support, respectively. For the fathers of children with autism, only appreciation was a significant predictor of marital satisfaction. In the analysis of the qualitative findings, main themes emerged in marital satisfaction of “acceptance of child’s disability”, and “time allocation as a partner” for both mothers and fathers, “sharing the responsibility for the child”, “being left alone” and “emotional sharing as a partner” for mothers, and “being appreciated” and “can’t understanding due to communication problems” for fathers. Findings suggest that psychological support for parents with autistic children should be conducted based on problems that are at the forefront of them. In addition, findings show that, it needs to be investigated what are the other dynamics of marital satisfaction and spouse support perceptions of parents with autistic children.