Functioning of the family system with an autistic child : a comparative study between Poland and California, USA

Objectives of the research: The aims of this research are to conduct a comparison study between the level of communication and flexibility infamilies with autistic children in two different geographical locations andcultural contexts – California (USA) and Poland (Europe) – to addresswhether the level of these two dimensions of family functioning are relatedto the ego-resiliency of the parents, and additionally to discuss the practicalimplications that can be drawn from the results.Research methods: Communication and flexibility profiles in family func-tioning were collected in Poland and California from September 2016 toFebruary 2018. Data on the similarities and differences between parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Poland (n=111) and California(n=105) was collected using Olson’s FACES-IV. The Ego-Resiliency Scale wasalso administered in methodologically standardized conditions and was em-pirically analyzed along with controlled demographic variables.A short description of the context of the issue: Family functioning and ego-resiliency in families with children with autism are analyzed in this research.The richness of interactions and connections within the family system sug-gests that when explaining the relationships within the family system, the interpretation that is based on linear causality is abandoned and re-placed by circular causality, which is the model of analysis utilized in this research project. The main goals of this research were to compare and con-trast family functioning in two geographical locations and cultural contextsand to show statistically significant differences between these two groups,in order to better understand cultural variations and differences that may affect family functioning and ego-resiliency and to provide the differentgroups with adequate, necessary support services.Research findings: The results revealed statistically significant differencesin various dimensions of Family Communication and Flexibility between fam-ilies of autistic children in California and Poland. With respect to both vari-ables, higher scores were found in the California group. The flexibility resultsin both groups were defined as flexible. However, in regards to family com-munication, the result of the California group corresponded to higher stan-dardized scores, whereas those of the group from Poland revealed moderatestandardized scores.Conclusions and recommendations: Statistically significant positive corre-lations were found in the variables of Flexibility and Family Communicationbetween Poland and California. The results of this research are critical, notonly from the perspective of scientific development (as similar studies havenot been conducted), but also for therapeutic and preventive reasons. Theysuggest concentrating on preventive activities and aspects that are impor-tant for the well-being of the parent as a person, as well as the entire familysystem, especially the dimensions of communication in families with chil-dren with autism spectrum disorder and the ego-resiliency of the parents.However, further research is needed to specifically identify the differences between the groups based on various demographic variables. Additionally,it is important to develop a practical model to support families with autisticchildren and to address family satisfaction in intervention strategies, as wellas to consider the importance of support groups that may improve satisfac-tion and ego-resiliency within the family system.