Caregivers' Experiences Taking Care of Children and Teenagers With Autism Spectrum Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Qualitative Approach

IF 1.5 Q2 NURSING

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing Pub Date : 2025-09-20 DOI:10.1111/jcap.70036

Chalisa Rujilekpanya, Wilai Napa, Tusana Thaweekoon

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, children and teenagers with autism exhibited behavioral changes, which contributed to increased parenting stress. This study focused on caregivers' experiences in Thailand, as they often lacked information on how to address these issues, and it may serve as a valuable source of essential information for further interventions for parents.

Purpose

To explore caregivers' experiences while caring for children and teenagers with autism.

Methodology

The researcher conducted a qualitative study to explore caregivers' experiences regarding caregiving for children and teenagers with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 15 participants, who were caregivers, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire until data saturation was achieved. The data set was transcribed verbatim by professionals and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

The participants' experiences were reflected in four themes: (a) facing difficulties with behavioral changes; the caregivers faced the behaviors changing such as decreasing connecting behaviors, children's self-stimulating behaviors, losing control of their eating, and time spent watching their screens (b) caring adaptation: caregivers adapted their caregiving strategies to manage child-developmental training and infection prevention; (c) confronting emotions: caregivers experienced anxiety and stress while caring for their children; and (d) assistance: caregivers received help from local volunteers who delivered food and medicine.

Conclusion

The caregivers' experiences included dealing with changing behaviors, adapting to care, and facing negative emotions while caring for their loved ones. Health professionals should provide parents with information about managing changing behaviors and reducing parenting stress. Additionally, they should deliver information via alternative platforms, such as telemedicine phone calls, when needed.

查看原文本刊更多论文

泰国COVID-19大流行期间护理人员照顾患有自闭症谱系障碍的儿童和青少年的经验：一种定性方法

背景：在2019冠状病毒病大流行期间，自闭症儿童和青少年表现出行为变化，这导致育儿压力增加。本研究的重点是泰国护理人员的经验，因为他们经常缺乏如何解决这些问题的信息，这可能是父母进一步干预的重要信息的宝贵来源。目的：探讨照顾者在照顾自闭症儿童和青少年时的经验。方法：研究人员通过定性研究，探讨护理人员在COVID-19大流行期间照顾自闭症儿童和青少年的经历。共有15名参与者是护理人员，使用半结构化问卷进行访谈，直到达到数据饱和。数据集由专业人员逐字转录，并使用专题分析进行分析。结果：参与者的经历反映在四个主题上：(a)面对行为改变的困难；照料者面临的行为改变包括：联系行为减少、儿童自我刺激行为、饮食失控和看屏幕时间增加。(b)照料适应：照料者调整照料策略以管理儿童发育培训和感染预防；(c)面对情绪：照顾者在照顾子女时感到焦虑和压力；(d)援助：护理人员得到了当地志愿者的帮助，他们提供了食物和药品。结论：照顾者在照顾自己所爱的人时，经历了应对行为变化、适应照顾和面对负面情绪的过程。健康专业人员应该向父母提供有关管理改变行为和减少养育压力的信息。此外，他们应在需要时通过其他平台（如远程医疗电话）传递信息。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing NURSING-

CiteScore

2.90

自引率

6.70%

发文量

期刊介绍： Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing (JCAPN) is the only nursing journal to focus exclusively on issues of child and adolescent mental health around the world. As a primary resource for nurses and other healthcare professionals in clinical practice, educator roles, and those conducting research in mental health and psychiatric care, the journal includes peer-reviewed, original articles from a wide range of contributors in a broad variety of settings.