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Parenting of Children with Developmental Disorders in Asian Indian Families in the United States of America

Zechella, Anusha N
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1407773610

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Psychology.
Parenting of children with developmental disorders (DDs) in immigrant families has been understudied in the literature. This study sought to qualitatively describe the unique experiences and challenges of Asian Indian parents of children with DDs in the United States (U.S.) Open-ended interviews were individually conducted with 15 parents (8 mothers, 7 fathers) whose children were diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Autistic Disorder, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified. Nineteen themes were generated that were grouped into six domains: Cultural explanations, community response, and migration; impact on the self and family; sources of stress; sources of support; a unique parenting approach; and hopes and fears for the future. Parental descriptions of cultural and religious explanations of the disability and subsequent response of the community to the child’s disability were consistent with literature on stigma of mental illness and disability among Asian Indian communities (e.g., Sovani, 2009). Many parents compared their early experiences of raising a child with a DD in India with their experiences after migration to United States. They also described their personal acceptance of the disability and impact on their well-functioning children and on their marital relationship. Similar to parents of children with DD from other cultural groups, Asian Indian parents in this sample described family support, broader social awareness and acceptance, and access to resources as sources of support (Gupta, 2007) and the lack of these factors as contributing to stress. A fairly unique parenting approach emerged in reference to the child with a DD that included adjusting academic aspirations for the child, taking a practical, “one day at a time” approach, and efforts to pass on cultural heritage. Parents voiced concerns about the future care of their child when they would not be around as well as their hopes. Overall, the findings suggest the importance of attending to cultural meanings and local contexts when understanding parenting experiences. These findings have important implications for health professionals working with Asian Indian immigrant families with a child with a DD, highlighting the need for culturally informed provision of health care. Implications for practice and directions for future research in this area are discussed.
Vaishali Raval, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Julie Rubin, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Brooke Spangler, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Robert Burke, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
77 p.
Clinical Psychology; Psychology
Asian Indian families; developmental disorders; immigrant; parenting; acculturation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zechella, A. N. (2014). Parenting of Children with Developmental Disorders in Asian Indian Families in the United States of America [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1407773610

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zechella, Anusha. Parenting of Children with Developmental Disorders in Asian Indian Families in the United States of America. 2014. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1407773610.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zechella, Anusha. "Parenting of Children with Developmental Disorders in Asian Indian Families in the United States of America." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1407773610

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12