The Yaya as a Protective Factor in the Resilience of Filipino Parents of Children with Autism: A Narrative Inquiry

Raising a child with autism in the Philippines poses numerous challenges, yet many Filipino parents show notable resilience. While existing research often centers on children's resilience or ineffective parenting, little attention has been given to the resilience of parents themselves. This study investigates the role of the yaya, or domestic caregiver, as a culturally embedded support system that contributes to the resilience of Filipino parents of children with autism. Employing a narrative inquiry approach, the researchers gathered and analyzed the stories of eight parents, framing their experiences through ecological and systemic lenses and focusing on protective factors that buffer parenting stress. Thematic analysis revealed that yayas play a critical role in family resilience by offering emotional and caregiving support, functioning as surrogate parents, and being considered part of the family. Their presence provides parents with much-needed respite and helps mitigate the overwhelming demands of caregiving. The findings underscore the importance of acknowledging the yaya as a vital, culturally situated support figure in Filipino families. The study ultimately advocates for more localized research and culturally relevant frameworks to better understand and support parental resilience. It also emphasizes the need for policy and practice that recognize and strengthen these informal yet impactful caregiving relationships.