広汎性発達障害児をもつ母親が体験している困難と心理的支援

Difficulties Experienced by Mothers of Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Their Psychological Support

要旨

　目的：本研究の目的は，広汎性発達障害児をもつ母親が体験している困難と心理的支援について明らかにすることである．

　方法：広汎性発達障害児の母親10名に半構成的面接を行い，得られたデータを質的帰納的に分析した．

　結果：母親が体験している困難は，【適切な医療・療育環境の不整備ゆえに増大する苦悩】【家事，療育，教育支援のために余裕のない日常】【手探りの子育て】【長期にわたって続く心理的揺れと子どもの将来への心配】【学校生活に関する心配とストレス】として表された．母親が得ている心理的支援，および必要としている心理的支援は，【家族・友人・地域の協力者の理解と助言による支え】【家族や友人に相談できない状況】【気兼ねなく利用できる心理的支援への希求】【ゆとりの時間による気分転換】【子どもの長所や成長を確認することによる希望】【子どもの長所や成長に焦点を当てた支援への希求】として表された．

　結論：広汎性発達障害の特性と心理的支援に関する知識と技術をもつ専門家による母親への心理的支援や，母親への支援とともに子どもの長所や成長に焦点を当てた子どもへの支援の必要性が示唆された．

Abstract

　Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the difficulties experienced by mothers of children with pervasive developmental disorders(PDD), their psychological support needs and the support apparatus available to them.

　Methods: Ten mothers raising a child with PDD responded to semi-structured interviews. Interview data were analyzed qualitatively.

　Results: The results of the analysis were as follows: 1)Five categories of difficulties were identified:［Burden due to a lack of adequate medical services and special education at home］,［Daily tension due to the pressure of keeping house, raising children, providing special training for children and supporting the child's educational needs］,［Struggle to find the optimal way to raise the child］, ［Long-lasting emotional instability due to continuous worries about the child's future］, and ［Worries and stress about the child's school life］. 2)Six categories of psychological support they are receiving and they need were identified: ［Support through the understanding and advice of family members, friends and the community］, ［Inadequate support from family members and friends］, ［Need for more psychological support］,［Spending time away from providing care for the child］, ［Hopes by recognizing the child's strengths］, and ［Need for support for the child that focuses on his or her strengths］.

　Conclusion: The present findings suggest the necessity of psychological support for mothers of children with PDD from professionals who have knowledge and skills related to PDD and providing psychological support, and offering support for the child that aims to reinforce his or her strengths together with psychological support for the mother.