Physically Active Leisure with (and Beyond) Limits: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Mothers of Autistic Children

Abstract

Mothers of autistic children have been shown to be more vulnerable to high levels of stress, poor health outcomes, and reduced engagement in leisure, as compared to fathers of autistic children or to parents of neurotypical children. While research has demonstrated the contribution of physically active leisure (PAL) to supporting well-being, including that of mothers, little is known about the experiences of mothers of autistic children. The purpose of this research was to explore the lived experiences of mothers of autistic children who engage in PAL to understand its meaning in their lives and how these experiences impact their well-being. This was a qualitative study that included 10 mothers (Mage = 39.3 years) who had one or more autistic children (Mage = 9.3 years). Each mother took photographs that reflected her experiences engaging in PAL (e.g., how they engage in PAL, how PAL affects them, and the meaning of these experiences to them), and participated in a one-on-one interview to discuss these photographs and broader experiences of PAL. Data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis techniques. Two main themes were developed from the data that collectively capture the lived experiences of participants engaging in PAL. The first theme demonstrates how domestic commitments hinder mothers’ engagement in PAL, and how these are exacerbated by additional challenges related to the specific needs of autistic children (e.g. limited independence, unmet educational and health service needs). The second theme illustrates the ways in which engagement in PAL was empowering for mothers and supported their well-being. Specifically, engaging in PAL helped mothers cope with their life challenges and provided an opportunity for them to confront gender norms associated with womanhood and motherhood, either by resisting or reproducing these norms. This research has implications for informing health and leisure professionals and researchers and providing direction for the development of interventions and strategies for enhancing engagement in PAL for mothers of autistic children and improving their well-being.