| Abstract | Autizam je cjeloživotno razvojno stanje koji potencijalno može imati značajan utjecaj na različite aspekte obiteljskog sustava. Autistična djece doživljavaju složen niz društvenih, emocionalnih i bihevioralnih poteškoća koje predstavljaju značajnu i stalnu brigu za roditelje. Najveći broj istraživanja usredotočuje se na iskustva majki dok se očevi na neki način zanemaruju. S obzirom na društvo u kojem živimo možemo reći da su majke uglavnom odgovorne za odgoj djece kod kuće i rad s njima. Iako, važnost uloge oca ne smije biti zanemarena ili umanjena jer razvojna psihologija dokazuje i uči da i majka i otac imaju jedinstvene i važne uloge u razvoju svog djeteta. Cilj ovog rada je dobiti uvid i dublje razumijevanje u doživljaje i iskustva očeva vezane uz odgoj autistične djece, izvore stresa i strategije suočavanja sa stresom, iskustva s formalnom i neformalnom podrškom te potrebe za podrškom od strane očeva autistične djece. U skladu s ciljem istraživanja postavljena su tri istraživačka pitanja: (1) Kakvo je iskustvo i doživljaj očinstva kod očeva autistične djece? (2) Koji su izvori stresa te koje strategije suočavanja koriste očevi autistične djece? (3) Koje je iskustvo očeva autistične djece s formalnom i neformalnom podrškom te koja je njihova potreba za podrškom? U istraživanje je uključeno sedam sudionika s područja Središnje Hrvatske i Sjevernog Primorja koji su odabrani metodom neprobabilističkog prigodnog uzorkovanja. Uzorak obuhvaća očeve autistične djece različite dobi s različitom razinom podrške. Podaci su prikupljeni metodom polustrukturiranog intervjua putem videopoziva preko platformi Zoom ili Google Meet. Ovo istraživanje iznjedrilo je mnoštvo tema koje se odnose na iskustvo očinstva autističnog djeteta, različitih stresora i izazova u odgoju te način na koji se s njima nose, iskustvo s formalnom i neformalnom podrškom namijenjenoj autističnoj djeci i očevima te koje su potrebe očeva. Dobivenim rezultatima predstavljena je po prvi put u Hrvatskoj perspektiva očeva o roditeljstvu autistične djece. |
| Abstract (english) | Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that can significantly impact various aspects of the family system. Autistic children experience a complex array of social, emotional, and behavioral challenges that pose significant and constant concern for parents. Most research focuses on the experiences of mothers, while fathers are somewhat overlooked. Considering the society we live in, it can be said that mothers are generally responsible for raising children at home and taking care of them. However, the importance of the father's role should not be neglected or diminished, as developmental psychology proves and teaches that both mother and father have unique and important roles in the development of their child. The aim of this paper is to gain insight and a deeper understanding of the experiences and perceptions of fathers related to raising autistic children, sources of stress, and coping strategies, as well as their experiences with formal and informal support, and their support needs. In line with the aim of the research, three questions were posed: (1) What are the experiences and perceptions of fatherhood among fathers of autistic children? (2) What are the sources of stress and coping strategies used by fathers of autistic children? (3) What are the experiences of fathers of autistic children with formal and informal support, and what are their support needs? The study involved seven participants from the Central Croatia and Northern Primorje regions, selected through a non-probability convenience sampling method. The sample includes fathers of autistic children of different ages with varying levels of support. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted via video calls on Zoom or Google Meet platforms. This research has generated numerous topics related to the experience of fatherhood of an autistic child, various stressors and challenges in parenting and how they are managed, experiences with formal and informal support for autistic children and fathers, and the needs of fathers. The results obtained provide, for the first time in Croatia, the perspective of fathers on parenting autistic children. |
