Peer experiences of military spouses with children with Autism in a distance peer mentoring program: A pilot study
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Kremkow, J. M. D., & Finke, E. H. (2022). Peer experiences of military spouses with children with autism in a distance peer mentoring program: A pilot study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 52(1), 189-202. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04937-6
Abstract Created by REACH:
The Military Spouse Online Autism Relocation Readiness (MilSOARR) Mentorship Program was designed to help military families who have a child with autism manage the stressors of relocation. This pilot study investigated program outcomes (i.e., feasibility, recommendations, satisfaction, perceptions of support, program improvements). Mentors (i.e., military spouses who had a child with autism and had experienced at least two Permanent Changes of Station [PCS]) were matched with mentees (i.e., military spouses who had a child with autism and fewer relocations based on demographic data [e.g., location, age of child with autism]). These mentor-mentee dyads (N = 12) communicated via email twice per week for six weeks about any topic regarding relocation with a child who has autism. After this time, mentees completed survey measures and responded to open-ended prompts regarding program outcomes. MilSOARR was beneficial for most mentees, and program improvements were suggested.
Focus:
Children
Other
Parents
Programming
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Reserve
Subject Affiliation:
Military families
Other
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study
Qualitative Study
Authors:
Kremkow, Jennifer M. D., Finke, Erinn H.
Abstract:
Previous research has indicated military families with children with autism reported significant difficulties when relocating with their child with autism. One possible relocation support for these families is an online peer mentorship program with another military spouse with a child with autism who has more relocation experience. The purpose of this pilot investigation was to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and collect initial outcome data for an online peer mentorship program for military spouses with children with autism. Results from this study indicated an online peer mentorship program is feasible, and may be a helpful program to support military spouses with children with autism before relocations.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Springer
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Elmhurst University, JMDK
Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, EHF
Keywords:
military families, Autism, online, mentor program
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
REACH Newsletter: