Margaret E. Adamek (PhD)Biruk Befkadu2024-12-242024-12-242022-06-01https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/3967Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder which causes impairments in multiple areas of development including social interaction, communication, and behavior. Parents face several challenges in raising a child with such developmental disabilities. In Ethiopia, around 600,000 individuals are living with autism. Developmental disorders such as autism are sometimes regarded as an evil-spirit or as a punishment from the supernatural/divine power in this country. The level of awareness, acceptance, and support for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Ethiopia is very low. Joy and Nehemiah Autism Centers are the only two centers providing support for children with autism and their parents. The main objective of this study was to examine the challenges, coping mechanisms, and available support for parents of autistic children in Addis Ababa. To achieve this objective, a cross-sectional, exploratory sequential mixed method design was used. Respondents were 128 individuals from parents, professionals, and founders of the centers. Qualitative data were collected using in-depth and key informant interviews and were analyzed thematically. Six major themes were identified: (a) parents’ awareness, perceptions, and reactions to the diagnosis of autism, (b) challenges of autism for parents, (c) coping mechanisms, (d) supports, (e) positive experiences of parents, and (f) advice for parents of a newly diagnosed child. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire to generate quantifiable data on (1) the levels of the challenges identified in the qualitative study (i.e., stress, stigma, and financial constraints), and (2) the relationships between these variables and the coping mechanisms used by the parents. Nearly all (n=97; 90%) of the parents reported financial constraints, followed by (n=84; 77.7%) stigma as measured by the Family Interview Schedule-Stigma Scale (FIS-SS), and (n=61; 56.5%) stress as measured by Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that stigma predicted parental stress (.40) and was mediated by coping mechanisms (-.67). Regarding the types of coping, parents were using spiritual support (M=14.036, SD=3.056), followed by reframing (M=27.000, SD=4.499), mobilizing family (M=14.841, SD=3.342), passive appraisal (M=17.390, SD=3.575), and the lowest through acquiring social support (M=32.146, SD=5.256) as measured by the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (F-COPES). Both informal and formal supports were identified and finally, conclusions, recommendations, and implications for social work practice are forwarded.en-USAutismParentsChallengeCoping Mechanismsand SupportThesis