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CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Dissertation
How Do Mental Health Professionals Provide Therapy to Couples in Neurodiverse Relationships: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000006283
Abstract
This study examines the social processes mental health professionals use to counsel neurodiverse couples. While the prevalence of autism continues to rise in all areas of society, therapists are in uncharted waters in the world of couples therapy. Neurodiverse couples are the nascent challenge in mixed relationships, where one partner is on the spectrum and the other partner is neurotypical. Some partners with autism may not know they have autism. Neurodiverse couples have unique challenges not found in other relationship dyads. National guidelines have not yet been established. A constructivist grounded theory framework uses guided interviews to understand the processes therapists use to develop effective therapy. Key categories emerged including belief systems, training, and communication, and which served as underpinnings that guided therapists. This study uncovers a duality of pathways inspired by personal epistemologies which drive decision-making. A social-justice component emerges from the data that is unexpected. This research highlights disparities associated with how therapists understand and assimilate the complexities of neurodiverse relationships. The findings demonstrate a need for professional guidelines for practice. They show a need for professional certification of skills specializing in autism-informed knowledge for mental-health practitioners. Professional agencies lack a global reference of autism-informed knowledge and evidence-based strategies for adults with autism. This highlights the implications from this research. Service professionals who work with people need autism-informed knowledge to practice competently and effectively, and to prevent unintentional harm. Nursing programs that prepare nurses with autism-informed knowledge will forge a significant, positive experiential impact on healthcare and outcomes for patients with autism, neurodiverse couples, and their families. Nurses at the frontline of healthcare will have the skill set and tools to provide tailored neurodevelopmental-specific care, collaborate with autism-informed multidisciplinary teams, and advocate for the diagnosed and undiagnosed neurodiverse patient population.
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Details
- Title
- How Do Mental Health Professionals Provide Therapy to Couples in Neurodiverse Relationships
- Creators
- Janina Damm
- Contributors
- Gail Ann Oneal (Advisor)Janet Katz (Committee Member)Tullamora Thelma Landis (Committee Member)Paul S Strand (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 266
- Identifiers
- 99901086432201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation