Examining Depression Among Mothers of Autistic People in South Korea: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Purpose: The mental health outcomes of autistic people and their families are particularly vulnerable compared to those of non-autistic people or other types of intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study investigated the mental health status of mothers of autistic people and their lived experiences in the Korean context. Methods: Based on a mixed-methods study design, this study first investigated the association between having an autistic child and the risk of developing maternal depression by examining data from the National Disability Registry and the Korean National Health Insurance Service database (2004–2020). Descriptive statistics were calculated to examine the depression rates within each subgroup. Second, the study explored the lived experiences of depression, coping strategies, and support needs through interviews with 18 mothers of an autistic adult child. To code the interview transcripts and field notes, the research team conducted constant comparative analysis and emergent coding. Results: The incidence of depression in mothers of autistic children was 2.6 times higher than that in mothers of children without autism spectrum disorder, and maternal depression was more common in younger autistic children. According to the interviews, while Korean mothers reported a range of coping strategies against depression, they often kept these struggles to themselves rather than seeking external support. Conclusion: Future practices should consider reducing maternal depression by focusing on the early stages of diagnosis. Culturally responsive practices are recommended to promote positive coping strategies among Korean mothers of autistic children.