It brought us closer: How couples in the United States with children diagnosed with ASC create and maintain relationship functioning

Abstract

Couples raising a child diagnosed with autism spectrum condition (ASC) experience unique challenges that can affect their relationship. This grounded theory study explores how couples maintain functioning in their relationship despite ongoing stressors related to raising a child on the spectrum. The presented model shows what couples can do to create and maintain their relationship functioning. It utilises four major themes developed from our analysis of interviews with 19 couples in the United States with a child diagnosed with ASC. This study increases understanding of couple functioning when raising a child on the spectrum. The grounded theory defines couple functioning for couples with a child diagnosed with ASC as balancing four mutually influential themes: togetherness, adaptability, resilience and communication. We also discuss clinical implications for systemic therapists to work with couples with a child diagnosed with ASC effectively.