The Attachment Process of the Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Pre-School Years: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by qualitative difficulties in interaction and communication, as well as hyper- or hypo-responsivity to sensory input, which can substantially challenge the formation of mother-child attachment. This study aimed to identify attachment levels among mothers of preschool-aged children with ASD and to delineate the attachment processes associated with those levels, with the goal of developing a grounded theory explaining these processes. Methods: A two-step study using methodological triangulation was conducted. In the first quantitative study, the attachment level of 64 mothers of children with ASD, under the age of 7 years in Korea, were measured. And 12 were selected for a second study using the grounded theory method of Strauss & Corbin. Results: A significant attachment difference (t = 4.39, p < 0.001) was found in the pregnancy plan. The core attachment category in mothers of pre-school children with ASD was identified as “keep on going with closing the distance”. Eight stages and four types were found in their attachment process. Conclusions: The results of this suggest that it is necessary to develop a personalized intervention strategy and to provide proper nursing by considering the attachment process and type of mothers of children with ASD.