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The Multiple and Intersecting Layers of Experiences of Black African immigrant Families Living with an Autistic Child in the UK

Nweke, Innocent Ugochukwu (2019) The Multiple and Intersecting Layers of Experiences of Black African immigrant Families Living with an Autistic Child in the UK. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis, University of Kent,. (KAR id:83228)

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Abstract

The specific experiences and challenges faced by immigrant families of children with autism are not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate the experiences of black-African immigrant families who live in the UK and have an autistic child in the family.

This qualitative study uses interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the lived experiences of participants. 37 individuals in 20 families, including fathers, mothers, and neurotypical siblings were interviewed, and the data analysed. The findings suggest that, as well as the common experiences and challenges faced by all families of autistic children in the UK, families who participated in this study also faced additional challenges. The combination of the common problems and their varied and specific issues which converged to produce multiple layers of autism experiences arise from their multiple identities. Drawing on the intersectionality theory, the study shows how these identities interact to amplify their experiences of racism and racialisation, discriminations, oppression, rejection, stigmatisation, the subjugation of mothers/women, threats to African masculinity and ideal, and the threat to kinship and lineage continuation. Religion and spirituality are deployed as important sources for coping and resilience.

This study answers the questions regarding the specific experiences and challenges faced by this research group. Additionally, it makes recommendations for further studies in this area, and for changes to professional practices and policy developments.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD))
Thesis advisor: Warner, Jo
Thesis advisor: McCarthy, Michelle
Thesis advisor: Akoensi, Thomas
Uncontrolled keywords: Black-African families, autism, autistic child, African cultures, Stigma, racism, racialisation, gender, discrimination, religion and spirituality, ethnicity, race, black and minority ethnic, Africanness philosophy, multiple layers of autism experiences.
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Women > HQ773.8 Children with autism spectrum disorders.
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
SWORD Depositor: System Moodle
Depositing User: System Moodle
Date Deposited: 02 Oct 2020 10:10 UTC
Last Modified: 30 Apr 2022 23:00 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/83228 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Nweke, Innocent Ugochukwu.

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