E-Thesis 310 views 1066 downloads
Exploring the cultural perceptions of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) / KANEEZ MUSTARY
Swansea University Author: KANEEZ MUSTARY
DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.69927
Abstract
The aim of this thesis was to explore the impact of cultural constructions, generational perspectives, social stigma, daily living experiences, and patterns of help-seeking and access to ASD-related services across different global communities, by employing qualitative and quantitative research.The...
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Swansea, Wales, UK
2025
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | Reed, Phil |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69927 |
| Abstract: |
The aim of this thesis was to explore the impact of cultural constructions, generational perspectives, social stigma, daily living experiences, and patterns of help-seeking and access to ASD-related services across different global communities, by employing qualitative and quantitative research.The first qualitative study encompassed the first cross-country exploration of professionals’ views of a range of key areas related to ASD provision in Bangladesh, Indonesia and the UK. Professionals from each country expressed common concerns regarding the insufficiency of specialised support and training in effectively managing populations with ASD.The second qualitative study explored the parental perceptions of diagnosis, understanding of ASD, its associated behaviours, and experience of familial reactions to ASD, in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the UK. The results suggest similarity across countries, and that different beliefs may be related to different cultural concerns, rather than differences in knowledge. It also highlights the need for more support for families, mental and financial, more training regarding ASD and interventions available, and support with inclusion into the society.The first quantitative study examined parent perceptions of ASD and its diagnosis, school provision, and predictors of satisfaction of school provision in Bangladesh, Zambia, Kenya, Greece and the UK. The results indicate significant cross-cultural variations in responding to research questions.The second quantitative study investigated parenting stress and coping to provide some exploratory data across five different countries: the UK, and Greece in Europe; Kenya, and Zambia, in Africa; and Bangladesh in Asia. The aim was to allow levels of parenting stress, the adoption of coping styles, and the impact of coping style on parenting stress for parents of children with ASD to be compared across the countries.This study could mark a starting point of developing understanding of ASD and their care needs and supporting professionals and parents to empower themselves, within their cultural contexts. |
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| Keywords: |
Culture, Perceptions, ASD |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |