Parents of children with disability and stigmatization of families of persons with autism

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find out if the parents of children with disability are inclined to stigmatize members of families of persons with autistic spectrum disorders, what the structure of stigma is like and do they internalize stigma expressed by members of general public. The sample encompassed 57 parents of children with disability (f=35, m=22). Family stigma questionaire (FSQ) was administrated. The results showed almost identical structures of stigma expressed by members of general public in Serbia and by parents of children with disability, the only difference there was in the intensity of stigmatizing stereotypes. Stereotypes related to the possibility of contamination and the arousal of feeling of pity are more intensively held by parents of children with disability. These results could be due to stigma internalization, but the fact that constructs of contamination and pity bear certain ambiguity must be taken into consideration. Greater blame for the onset of the condition was attributed to parents than to siblings and to mother than to father. Also, more educated participants seemed to support more the construct of pity and less the construct incompetence of family members.