Social Support Experiences in Parents of Children With ASD: A Qualitative Systematic Review

This review aims to systematically review qualitative research exploring the social support experiences of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (CWASD). Limited to original research in English language only; reported on the social support experiences of parents of CWASD; publication dates 2013 to 2023. PsycInfo, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched for qualitative research. The search was conducted on 3/1/2024 (Finally updated on 11/5/2024). The modified Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool was used to assess the overall quality of the included studies, and the GRADE-CERQual tool was used to assess the confidence of the findings. The data were analyzed using thematic synthesis. This review is registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023409344). 18 studies were included. The overall quality of most studies was high. Parents of CWASD lack emotional support from family, professionals, friends, and the community. The social exclusion and stigma surrounding disabilities add pressure, although religious beliefs provide some positive support. They face challenges owing to limited healthcare, financial burdens, and inadequate policies. Additionally, they lack access to helpful information. While peer support can be useful, it often suffers from issues such as negative feedback and inconsistency. This review reveals substantial deficits in social support for parents of CWASD, which leads to stress and social isolation. Comprehensive measures to strengthen family services, policy frameworks, healthcare, and educational support while simultaneously reducing stigma and enhancing information transparency should be implemented.