Author/Authors :
Torres-Colón , Luis University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus - School of Health Professions - Occupational Therapy Program - PR , USA , Román-Oyola, Rosa University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus - School of Health Professions - Occupational Therapy Program - PR , USA , Figueroa-Feliciano, Verónica University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus - School of Health Professions - Occupational Therapy Program - PR , USA , Torres-Martínez, Yoliannie University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus - School of Health Professions - Occupational Therapy Program - PR , USA , Torres-Vélez, Jorge University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus - School of Health Professions - Occupational Therapy Program - PR , USA , Encarnación-Pizarro, Keyshla University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus - School of Health Professions - Occupational Therapy Program - PR , USA , Fragoso-Pagán , Samariz University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus - School of Health Professions - Occupational Therapy Program - PR , USA
Abstract :
Playservesasanessentialmediumforparent-childinteraction;however,engagingchildrenwithASDthrough
playcanbeachallengeforparents.Purpose.Thepurposeofthisphenomenologicalstudywastoexploretheperspectives
ofparentswithchildrenontheautismspectrumregardingplayexperiencesandself-efficacyduringplayencounters.
Method.Semistructuredinterviewswereadministeredto8parentsofchildren3–7yearsofagewithASD.Theanalysis
wasguidedbytheconstantcomparisonmethod.Findings.Parentalnarrativesdenotedplayfulexperiencesreflecting
componentsofSkardandBundy’smodelofplayfulness.Thefacilitationofframingandsuspensionofrealityweregenerally
morechallengingthanfacilitatingintrinsicmotivationandinternalcontrol.Participantsassociatedself-efficacyduringplaywith
theirperceivedabilitytointeractwiththeirchildandwithpositiveemotionsexperiencedduringplay.Fathersgenerallyderived
agreatersenseofself-efficacyfromplayencountersthanmothers,andthiswasexplainedbydifferencesinfathers’andmothers’
motivationsforplaying.Mothersweremotivatedtoplayforoutcome-orientedreasons(e.g.,promotethechild’sprogress)
whereasfathers’motivationsdepictedgreateremotionalemphasis,reflectingabettermatchbetweenmotivationandperceived
indicatorsofefficacyduringplay.Conclusion.Theresultssuggestthatagoodmatchbetweenmotivationforplayingand
perceivedindicatorsofefficacyduringplayisimportantforaparentalsenseofself-efficacy.Occupationaltherapistsshould
utilizecoachingstrategiestoincreaseparents’understandingofplayandplayfulnessandhowtheycanaffectasenseof
parentalself-efficacy.
Keywords :
Play , Playfulness , Self-Efficacy , Parental Experiences , Children , Autism Spectrum , ASD
