Disclosing the child’s autism spectrum disorder: perspectives of first-generation immigrant Korean mothers in the US

Abstract

Little is known about the patterns of disability disclosure among Korean immigrant parents of children with developmental disabilities living in the US. This study examined first-generation Korean immigrant mothers’ perceptions and experiences of disclosing their children’s autism. A qualitative case study method, utilizing semi-structured interviews, was employed. A total of 10 Korean immigrant mothers participated via Zoom or telephone. Findings showed that traditional Korean values, such as homogeneity and Confucianism, play a critical role in participants’ perception of and willingness to reveal the disabilities of their children. Moreover, the fear of social stigma (e.g. the labeling effect and negative stereotypes) makes mothers reluctant to disclose their children’s diagnoses. Considering the paucity of studies that navigate the immigrant population, this study furthers our insight into the unique challenges that immigrant families face in disclosing their child’s disability.

Point Of Interest

• In certain cultures, disclosing a child’s disability is a sensitive issue. However, US medical and educational services require parents to inform of a child’s disability for that child can receive benefits.

• Immigrant parents tend to show different behavioral patterns than parents belonging to the dominant culture due to the influence of their homeland’s traditional values.

• The study reported that traditional Korean culture (e.g. Confucianism and low tolerance for diversity) and social stigma (e.g. the labeling effect) in the Korean community in the US played an important role in the participants’ decisions over whether to disclose their children’s disabilities to others.

• Considering the paucity of studies investigating the immigrant population on the disability field, this study furthers our insight into the unique challenges that immigrant families face in disclosing their children’s disabilities.

Keywords:

• Autism
• disclosing disability
• Korean immigrant
• cultural perception
• stigma
• qualitative research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).