Factors Related to the Emotional Experiences of Mothers When Their Child Was Diagnosed as Having a High Functioning Pervasive Developmental Disorder

本研究は、高機能広汎性発達障害(以下、HFPDD)児をもつ母親の、診断告知時の感情体験に影響を与える要因を検討することを目的とした。HFPDD児をもつ母親203名を対象に、診断告知時の感情体験、診断対応満足度、診断告知のタイミング、育児ストレス、ソーシャルサポートについて質問紙調査を行った。その結果、母親が子どもの発達に不安を感じる時期が遅く、診断告知の時期が早く、診断告知に説明不足を感じるほど不安感とショックを体験していた。また、診断告知が遅く、診断告知の対応に満足を感じるほど安堵感を体験していた。さらに、母親が子どもの発達に不安を感じる時期と診断告知の時期が遅く、診断時の対応に満足を感じ、公的なサポートが低いほど、自責感を体験していた。以上より、診断告知において、診断告知を受けるタイミングや育児ストレスを踏まえた対応、当面の指針となる具体的な助言と情報の提供の必要性が示唆された。 The purpose of the present study was to investigate factors related to the emotional experiences of mothers (N=203) of children with high-functioning pervasive developmental disorders (HFPDD) and related factors at the time of their child's diagnosis. When a factor analysis was conducted of participants' responses on a questionnaire, 3 factors were obtained: "anxiety and shock", "sense of relief", and "self-reproach". Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis revealed the following main findings: "anxiety and shock" was related to the duration of time that the mothers had worried about their child's troubles, when the diagnosis was made, and dissatisfaction with the explanation received. "Sense of relief" was related to when the diagnosis was made and satisfaction with the explanation received. "Self-reproach" was related to the duration of time that the mothers had worried about their child's troubles, when the diagnosis was made, satisfaction with the explanation received, and insufficient official support. Limitations of the study and clinical implications were discussed