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Autism and Developmental Disorders
2025. Vol. 23, no. 4, 45–52
doi:10.17759/autdd.2025230405
ISSN: 1994-1617 / 2413-4317 (online)

Posttraumatic personal growth in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: approaches and research perspectives

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with high emotional strain and chronic stress for the family. Despite substantial difficulties, some mothers demonstrate posttraumatic personal growth (PTG), reflecting positive changes that emerge through meaning-making and cognitive processing of the situation. In the literature, PTG is linked to reappraising the parental role, strengthening inner resilience, and developing new adaptive strategies. Objective. To review current approaches to the study of PTG in mothers of children with ASD and to identify psychological factors that contribute to positive personality transformation. Methods and materials. A literature review was conducted using open electronic resources (eLIBRARY, PsyJournals, and PubMed) and the following keywords: posttraumatic growth (PTG), mothers, autism, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both contemporary empirical studies and works providing the theoretical foundations for PTG research were included. Results. PTG in mothers of children with ASD appears to be a complex adaptive and meaning-related process that combines cognitive acceptance of the child’s diagnosis, perceived social support, the development of selfreflection, and inner agency. These conditions contribute to the reassessment of life priorities, the emergence of new interaction patterns, and strengthened resilience. Constructive coping strategies, supportive relationships, and active involvement in the child’s support and intervention are associated with higher PTG levels. Conclusions. Social support, cognitive processing, and acceptance of the child’s diagnosis are important for the development of PTG. Future research should further explore the associations between PTG, life-meaning orientations, and psychological wellbeing in mothers of children with ASD. The present review may serve as a basis for identifying additional promising directions for PTG research. 

General Information

Keywords: posttraumatic growth PTG), mothers, autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), social support, psychological adaptation, acceptance of diagnosis, psychological well-being

Journal rubric: Developmental disorders research

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/autdd.2025230405

Received 14.10.2025

Revised 18.11.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Nikitina, E.I., Ivanov, M.V. (2025). Posttraumatic personal growth in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: approaches and research perspectives. Autism and Developmental Disorders, 23(4), 45–52. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/autdd.2025230405

© Nikitina E.I., Ivanov M.V., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Elizaveta I. Nikitina, Junior Research Scientist of the Department of Child Psychiatry, Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3049-3191, e-mail: nikitina.elizabeth@mail.ru

Michael V. Ivanov, Candidate of Science (Psychology), associate professor, Leading Research Associate of the Department for the Study of Mental Pathology of Preschool Age at the Institute of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mental Health Research Center, Head of the Department of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology, Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3853-4345, e-mail: ivanov-michael@mail.ru

Contribution of the authors

Elizaveta I. Nikitina — conceptualization; research planning; collection and analysis of sources; writing and formatting of the manuscript.

Michael V. Ivanov — conceptualization; research planning; supervision of the research implementation; writing and formatting of the manuscript. 

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

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