The experience of mothers of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract Purpose Emergent research literature has identified emotional and behavioural challenges for autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile. However, understanding of their parents’ experience is limited. This study aimed to explore the experience of parents of autistic chil...

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Main Authors: Sam Curtis, Elizabeth Izett
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-01-01
Series:Discover Mental Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00127-3
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author Sam Curtis
Elizabeth Izett
author_facet Sam Curtis
Elizabeth Izett
author_sort Sam Curtis
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose Emergent research literature has identified emotional and behavioural challenges for autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile. However, understanding of their parents’ experience is limited. This study aimed to explore the experience of parents of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile. Methods Semi-structured interviews were completed with ten parents of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile, aged between 5 and 11 years (M = 8.5, SD = 1.90). All participants were mothers, aged 33–50 years (M = 42, SD = 5.35). To explore what meaning participants gave to their lived experience, an interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted on interview data. Results Four main themes were developed from the interpretative phenomenological analysis; the benefit of a shared understanding about pathological demand avoidance to the parents and their children, the power of pathological demand avoidance and the impact on families, the emotional experience of mothers, and the various ways in which they coped. Conclusion The need for further recognition and understanding about pathological demand avoidance is emphasised through recommendations for future research. As is the need for flexible, informed, and appropriate support for demand avoidant children and their families.
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spelling doaj-art-1d762ce391174f758e8d7290115b36c22025-01-26T12:17:24ZengSpringerDiscover Mental Health2731-43832025-01-015111710.1007/s44192-025-00127-3The experience of mothers of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile: an interpretative phenomenological analysisSam Curtis0Elizabeth Izett1School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan UniversitySchool of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan UniversityAbstract Purpose Emergent research literature has identified emotional and behavioural challenges for autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile. However, understanding of their parents’ experience is limited. This study aimed to explore the experience of parents of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile. Methods Semi-structured interviews were completed with ten parents of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile, aged between 5 and 11 years (M = 8.5, SD = 1.90). All participants were mothers, aged 33–50 years (M = 42, SD = 5.35). To explore what meaning participants gave to their lived experience, an interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted on interview data. Results Four main themes were developed from the interpretative phenomenological analysis; the benefit of a shared understanding about pathological demand avoidance to the parents and their children, the power of pathological demand avoidance and the impact on families, the emotional experience of mothers, and the various ways in which they coped. Conclusion The need for further recognition and understanding about pathological demand avoidance is emphasised through recommendations for future research. As is the need for flexible, informed, and appropriate support for demand avoidant children and their families.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00127-3Pathological Demand AvoidanceAutismParent ExperienceQualitative
spellingShingle Sam Curtis
Elizabeth Izett
The experience of mothers of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Discover Mental Health
Pathological Demand Avoidance
Autism
Parent Experience
Qualitative
title The experience of mothers of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
title_full The experience of mothers of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
title_fullStr The experience of mothers of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
title_full_unstemmed The experience of mothers of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
title_short The experience of mothers of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
title_sort experience of mothers of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile an interpretative phenomenological analysis
topic Pathological Demand Avoidance
Autism
Parent Experience
Qualitative
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00127-3
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