Doživljanje družinske dinamike z vidika mater mladostnikov z MAS : magistrsko delo

Pokovec, Ana (author), Cvetek, Mateja (mentor)

V magistrskem delu smo raziskovali doživljanje družinske dinamike z vidika mater mladostnikov z MAS. Teoretični del smo razdelili na dva dela, ob čemer smo se v prvem delu najprej osredotočili na MAS in opredelili značilnosti motnje ter razlike v odražanju motnje glede na spol, nadaljevali z opisom sprememb motnje v obdobju mladostništva in specifičnih težav, s katerimi se soočajo mladostniki z MAS. V drugem delu teorije smo opredelili delovanje družine z mladostnikom z MAS, družinske podsisteme in izzive, s kakršnimi se soočajo družine z mladostnikom z MAS ter kako se spoprijemajo s stresom. V raziskavi je sodelovalo 10 mater z mladostnikom z MAS v starostnem razponu med 13 in 22 let. Pri raziskovanju smo s pomočjo tematske analize na podlagi empiričnih podatkov, pridobljenih z intervjujev mater mladostnikov z MAS, dobili uvid v njihovo družinsko dinamiko in izzive, s katerimi se srečujejo v tem razvojnem obdobju. Analiza znotraj glavne teme, ki se neposredno nanaša na doživljanje družinske dinamike z vidika mater mladostnikov z MAS, je osvetlila raznolikost njihovih izkušenj, ob čemer ugotovitve kažejo, da so se družine večinoma uspešno prilagodile posebnim potrebam mladostnika, pri čemer so razvile učinkovite strategije soočanja z vzgojnimi izzivi. Kljub temu so matere pogosto tiste, ki se znajdejo v vlogi koordinatorke mladostnikovega življenja, kar lahko vodi v občutek preobremenjenosti, še posebej kadar ob sebi nimajo ustrezne podpore. Izpostavljeni so bili tako prijetni kot neprijetni vidiki družinskih odnosov, od občutkov povezanosti in zadovoljstva ob skupnih dejavnostih do konfliktnih in napetih situacij. Dodatno breme staršem predstavljajo skrb za prihodnost, splošna neizobraženost javnosti in strokovnega kadra v šolstvu in v zdravstvu ter institucionalna neprilagojenost. Rezultati raziskave lahko prispevajo k boljšemu razumevanju vloge mater mladostnikov z MAS ter opozarjajo na nujnost večje podpore družinam v tem razvojnem obdobju. V pomoč pa je lahko tudi strokovnjakom, ki se pri svojem delu srečujejo z mladostniki z MAS in njihovimi družinami.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: motnja avtističnega spektra, mladostništvo, družinska dinamika, matere, tematska analiza
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.09 - Master's Thesis
• Organization: TEOF - Theological Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: [A. Pokovec]
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: VII, 98, VI str.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-173956
• UDC: 159.93:616.896:316.356.2(043.2)
• COBISS.SI-ID: 251344131
• Publication date in RUL: 25.09.2025

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Experiences of family dynamics from the perspective of mothers of adolescents with ASD

Abstract

In this master's thesis, we explored the experience of family dynamics from the perspective of mothers of adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The theoretical part is divided into two sections. In the first section, we focused on defining the characteristics of ASD, including gender differences in its manifestation, followed by a description of how the disorder evolves during adolescence and the specific challenges faced by adolescents with ASD. The second section addressed family functioning in the context of having an adolescent with ASD, family subsystems, and the challenges families face, along with coping strategies for managing stress. The empirical part of the study included 10 mothers of adolescents with ASD, aged between 13 and 22. Using thematic analysis based on qualitative data collected through interviews, we gained insight into family dynamics and the challenges these families encounter during this developmental stage. The analysis of the main theme, focused on how mothers perceive family dynamics, highlighted the diversity of their experiences. Findings show that most families have successfully adapted to the adolescent's specific needs and developed effective strategies for managing parenting challenges. However, mothers are often placed in the role of coordinators of their child's life, which may lead to feelings of overload, especially in the absence of adequate support. Both positive and negative aspects of family relationships were highlighted – from feelings of connection and satisfaction during shared activities to conflictual and tense situations. Additional burdens for parents include concern for the future, general public unawareness, lack of professional knowledge in the education and healthcare systems, and institutional unresponsiveness. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the maternal role in families with adolescents with ASD and highlight the need for greater support for families during this developmental period. The results may also be useful for professionals working with adolescents with ASD and their families.

• Keywords: autism Spectrum Disorder, adolescence, family dynamics, mothers, thematic analysis