Contingent Parental Metamorphosis: A Grounded Theory of Parental Adaptation with Offspring-Affected Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Abstract

Objectives: The increasing rates of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) underscore the need to focus on how parents adopt strategies associated with these challenges.

Material & methods: This study presents the "Contingent Parental Metamorphosis Theory" formulated through grounded theory methodology, focusing on the adaptive processes of 27 parents of children with NDDs. The participants were selected through theoretical sampling and purposive sampling. The data were obtained using interviews, observations, field notes, and memos. The information analysis was based on Corbin and Strauss's 2015 approach, and the MAXQDA 2010 programwas utilized for information management.

Results: The data revealed 38 undercategories, 12 subcategories, and six major categories: (1) perceived parental crisis in the diagnostic-treatment process, (2) duality of parental grief, (3) hierarchical support, (4) organization of financial-motivational resources, (5) conscious parental strategies, and (6) commitment to parental adherence.

Conclusion: The findings indicate a theory of Contingent Parental Metamorphosis, elucidating how parents adjust to the challenges posed by their offspring's conditions. This theory highlights the duality of parental grief, illustrating the complex emotional landscape parents navigate. The theory offers a multivariate framework capturing the dynamic nature of the adjustment process, encompassing both the stress and the fulfillment that parents experience, ultimately fostering a renewed sense of purpose.