Embracing life's dualities: an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) investigation on positive meaning making and positive coping in parents of autistic young adults in Singapore

Abstract

In his 2025 Budget Speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong highlighted Singapore’s urgent need to support parents to Autistic young adults as “parents worry about what happens post-18, after their children graduate from the structured environment of a Special Education (or SPED) school,” (Ministry of Finance, 2025). This is what is referred to as the “post-18 cliff effect”. This transition, although riddled with challenges and uncertainty, is also a time where parents discover their inner strength. Yet, the current literature does not capture the lasting positive experiences and contributions of parents in journeying with their Autistic young adult. To address this gap, the current qualitative study explores how parents to Autistic young adults construct positive meaning around their journey and the positive coping strategies they engaged in. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine parents in Singapore, using Seligman’s (2011) PERMA model as a guiding framework. Data analysis applied the constructivist approach outlined in Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), resulting in the conception of the Parental Self-Efficacy and 4Meaning pathways (P-SE4M) model. The P-SE4M model illustrates four meaning-centric themes: (1) Eudaimonic Meaning, (2) Meaning Steadies the Tides, (3) Meaning Through Mindfulness, and (4) Melding Meaningful Bonds. Additionally, the P-SE4M model articulates the reciprocal pathways between parental self-efficacy and the four themes. The study’s findings highlight the value of incorporating culturally grounded meaning-centred strategies into policies supporting this group of parents in Singapore. One potential avenue is the integration of these strategies within the Autism Enabling Masterplan.