Spiritual and Challenging Coping in Mothers of Autistic Children: A Qualitative Understanding of a High Acceptance Worldview

Mohammadi Mazraei, Ebtesam; Rezapour Mirsaleh, Yasser; Aryanpour, Hamidreza; Dafeian, Fatemeh

doi:10.30487/jcp.2026.460570.1691

Spiritual and Challenging Coping in Mothers of Autistic Children: A Qualitative Understanding of a High Acceptance Worldview

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Ebtesam Mohammadi Mazraei ¹

Yasser Rezapour Mirsaleh ²

Hamidreza Aryanpour ³

Fatemeh Dafeian ⁴

¹ Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ardaka University, Ardakan, Iran

² Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran

³ Department of psychology-Faculty of humanities &amp; social sciences- University of Ardakan-Ardakan-Iran

⁴ Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran

10.30487/jcp.2026.460570.1691

Abstract

Autism is one of the most pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders, significantly impacting both patients and their caregivers. When a child is diagnosed with autism, it can lead to numerous challenges and emotional struggles for caregivers, particularly mothers, making it difficult to accept the child's condition. However, some mothers manage to accept their children with these challenging conditions and remain committed to their care. This research is a qualitative phenomenological study using thematic analysis to investigate the worldview of mothers who exhibit high acceptance of their autistic children. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with nine mothers of autistic children. These mothers were selected through purposeful sampling, and the sampling continued until the responses reached saturation. The findings revealed that the worldview of the participating mothers encompasses three dimensions: a finite world, infinite life, and death anxiety. This type of worldview involves grappling with concepts such as fear of the future, the transience of life, and preparation for death. These factors significantly influence how these mothers accept and adapt to their children's condition.

Keywords

Autism

Acceptance and Commitment

Worldview

Exist

Subjects