Internet use among parents of children with autism spectrum disorders

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dc.contributor.advisorCarolyn A. Phillips, RN, PhDen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberVirginia Niebuhr, PhDen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberMary Anne Hanley, RN, PhDen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberMary Ann Best, PhD, RNen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberElnora P. (\"Nonie\") Mendias, PhD, RNen_US
dc.creatorNona Fainen_US
dc.date.accessioned2011-12-20T16:04:31Z
dc.date.accessioned2014-02-19T22:05:01Z
dc.date.available2010-09-28en_US
dc.date.available2011-12-20T16:04:31Z
dc.date.available2014-02-19T22:05:01Z
dc.date.created2009-03-30en_US
dc.date.issued2009-03-11en_US
dc.description.abstractParents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are uniquely stressed by the difficult behaviors of their children which often result in isolation, depression and financial burden. The causes of ASD are not well-understood but are believed to result from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. There is no standard treatment protocol for ASD. Since early intervention is associated with more favorable outcomes for the child, many parents search the Internet hoping to find effective therapies and treatments. This study employed Naturalistic Inquiry methodology, as described by Lincoln and Guba (1985), to explore how parents of children with ASD use the Internet, what kinds of information the parents were seeking and how they located, evaluated and chose to use ASD-related information. Twelve parents of children with ASD were interviewed for the study. Data consisted of bio-demographic information and transcribed interviews. Data was unitized and analyzed inductively; coded descriptively, topically and analytically (Morse & Richards, 2002) in a recursive manner using the constant comparative method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Rigor and data trustworthiness were enhanced by using data management and analysis strategies to ensure credibility, fittingness and auditability (Lincoln and Guba, 1985; Beck, 1993). Findings revealed that parents searched with intensity and urgency for information about causes, treatments, how to interpret symptoms of ASD and to confirm their child’s diagnosis. They searched in response to unsatisfactory experiences with the healthcare and educational systems. Parents reported that they would like more information online about strategies to handle difficult behaviors, respite care, encouragement for daily living and how to access direct services for their children.\r\n\r\nen_US
dc.format.mediumelectronicen_US
dc.identifier.otheretd-03302009-111549en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2152.3/79
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright © is held by the author. Presentation of this material on the TDL web site by The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston was made possible under a limited license grant from the author who has retained all copyrights in the works.en_US
dc.subjectqualitativeen_US
dc.subjectparentsen_US
dc.subjectNVivo7en_US
dc.subjectnaturalistic inquiryen_US
dc.subjectInterneten_US
dc.subjectconstructivismen_US
dc.subjectautismen_US
dc.titleInternet use among parents of children with autism spectrum disordersen_US
dc.type.genredissertationen_US
dc.type.materialtexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentNursingen_US
thesis.degree.grantorThe University of Texas Medical Branchen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.namePhDen_US

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