Abstract:
Parents of children with ASD are known to be exposed to persistent stress. Yet, parents appear to
demonstrate resilience and utilize foster strategies to help themselves and their children, but little
is known about this relationship in Ethiopia. Hence, a sequential explanatory mixed methods
design utilizing non-probability sampling technique was employed to measure the resilience
status of parents, examine its correlation with protective factors and explore evidences of
resilience among parents in Addis Ababa. An adapted form of Connor-Davidson resilience scale,
five questionnaires and semi structured interview were utilized to collect data. Data were
analyzed using T-test, Pearson‟s r, multiple regression and thematic analysis. Of 84 parents, 61%
were highly resilient (M=108.14, SD=8.45) while 39% had lower resilience (M=72.89,
SD=15.02). A correlation analysis revealed positive significant association between resilience
and all protective factors where the correlation was weak with age of the child (r=.22, p=.041)
and spirituality and religiousness (r=.27, p=.014); moderate with social support (r=.37, p=.001)
and family environment (r= .42, p<.001); and a strong with parental attitude (r=.73, p<.001) and
locus of control (r=.55, p<.001). A regression analysis verified parental attitude to have greater
advantage for parents resilience (Beta=.60, p<.001). The thematic analysis supported
quantitative findings with themes evidencing resilience, including positive attitudes about the
child, changed worldviews, personal growth and maturity, expanded social networks and civic
activity as well as stronger marriage and connected family. The findings are important as they
identified different resilience factors in parents of children with autism. It highlights the need for
support programs to invest on identifying and nurturing factors that improve parents‟ resilience
and improve the quality of life of children with autism.
Keywords: resilience, protective factors, positive experiences, parents of ASD child