Psychology of Exceptional Individuals

Developing Sublime Suffering Model in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Grounded Theory Study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Sara Nejatifar 1
Amir Ghamarani 2
Ali Aghaziarati 3

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Education of People with Special Needs, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Education of People with Special Needs, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Department of Psychology and Counselling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22054/jpe.2026.86334.2824
Abstract
Post traumatic growth is a positive psychological change that may help traumatized parents recover. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to develop a sublime suffering model in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. This study was conducted in 2024 in the city of Isfahan using a qualitative method and a grounded theory approach. The sample group reached theoretical saturation by selecting 27 parents with post traumatic growth (with the participants acknowledging the experience of growth and obtaining a score two standard deviations higher than the average in the post-traumatic growth test by Tedeschi & Calhoun (1996) by the participants). Sampling method was purposeful and semi-structured interview method was used to collect data. Data analysis was done with the systematic method of Strauss and Corbin (2008) in three stages of open, central and selective coding, and the findings included 140 open codes, 30 central codes and 5 selective codes. Based on the results of the research, a data-based model was developed, including causal factors, underlying factors, intervening factors, strategies, and consequences. Based on the results, it can be said that this model can open the way for psychologists and counselors to increase the post-traumatic growth capacity of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Keywords

Sublime Suffering
Post Traumatic Growth
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Grounded Theory
Psychology of Exceptional Individuals

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 June 2026

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