Social Support during Social Distancing: Experiences of Caregivers of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Description

Page: 315-321

VenkataTejo Prasanna N. and Monalisa Nayak (Department of Psychology, School of Liberal Studies, CMR University, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka)

Caregiving for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) involves varied experiences, some of which may be stressful and pose implications for caregivers’ well-being. Social support can act as a buffer in stressful situations and improve mental health. This qualitative study aims to understand the availability of social support during the lockdown and social distancing due to COVID-19 and describe the lived experiences of caregivers of children with ASD during that time. Ten caregivers of people with ASD from Bangalore, India, participated in the study after giving their consent, and a reflective phenomenological inquiry was used to elicit responses. These responses have been grouped to identify the key themes and presented in a narrative style. The findings reveal the challenges faced by the caregivers due to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strong family bonds have been identified in the caregivers’ families. The general perception of a lack of social support is another key theme. These findings are instrumental in increasing awareness and acceptance among non-autistic families and preparedness for any similar future events. This study’s COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing period are from March 2020 to May 2022.