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While biological contributors to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are well-established, psychosocial experiences during pregnancy have increasingly been discussed as factors perceived to be associated with ASD. This study explored parents’ and professionals’ perceptions of prenatal psychosocial experiences they believed to be linked to ASD.
A qualitative content analysis was performed with 22 participants, including 12 parents of children diagnosed with ASD and 10 professionals involved in autism diagnosis and care in Yazd, Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman’s approach, supported by MAXQDA18. The coding was conducted independently by two researchers. Trustworthiness was maintained using Lincoln and Guba’s criteria. The study adhered to the COREQ 32-item checklist for qualitative reporting.
The analysis revealed two overarching categories: (1) Psychological-Spiritual Vulnerabilities, including inadequate emotional well-being during pregnancy, untreated psychological symptoms, and spiritual and metaphysical attributions; and (2) Sociocultural-Environmental Strains, encompassing cultural norms and social stigma, interpersonal communication barriers, domestic discord and related conflict, social withdrawal during gestation, economic instability, information-related stressors during pregnancy, erroneous health beliefs rooted in limited literacy and Cultural misconceptions about pregnancy treatment choices. Findings demonstrated how internal emotional challenges and external sociocultural stressors were perceived to interact in shaping maternal stress during pregnancy, which participants believed could be associated with subsequent ASD diagnosis.
The study offers a culturally contextualized understanding of the psychosocial experiences that parents and professionals perceive to be associated with a subsequent ASD diagnosis. Integrating culturally sensitive mental health screening and psychosocial support into prenatal care may help address perceived stressors and support maternal well-being, as suggested by participants’ accounts.
