MATERNAL LOOK: FATHER INVOLVEMENT IN THE LIFE OF THE CHILD WITH AUTISM

This study aimed to know the mother's perception of the father's involvement in the life of the child with the diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Participants were 27 mothers of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. A semi-structured interview was conducted, which was recorded and transcribed in full. After reading, the material obtained was subjected to content analysis, based on the concept of father involvement. The final categories were outlined, considering the three aspects that make up the concept, namely, accessibility, responsibility, and interaction. The results revealed that the mothers’ perception of father involvement varies from case to case. Some participants reported no father involvement; the majority signaled partial involvement, and few mothers indicated total involvement, which includes the three aspects studied. When reporting a positive involvement of fathers, mothers also mentioned harmony and dialogue in the couple's relationship. Therefore, the father's parental involvement is supposedly related to the presence of predictors of marital satisfaction and a good acceptance of the father regarding the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Thus, in the lack of involvement or when it is partial, the mother tends to take even more responsibility for meeting her child's needs, which may lead to an overload of responsibilities and, therefore, a greater risk of developing a psychological disorder.