Lättare sagt än gjort. En kvalitativ studie om hur vuxna med Aspergers syndrom upplever nära relationer

Abstract

Background and aim: Asperger syndrome is a neuropsychiatric disability which is essentially characterized by impairments in social interaction. Little is known about how these individuals experience social interaction and more distinctly close relationships. Therefore the purpose of this present study is to explore how initiating and maintaining close relationships could be facilitated for individuals with Asperger syndrome. Furthermore how these individuals would like others to behave towards them. By assuming an insider perspective the empirical data is based on the participants own descriptions of their experiences, thoughts and ideas about close relationships. Findings: Most respondents state that they experience difficulties initiating social interaction, the main reason being that they don’t know what they are expected to say or how to act in this type of situation. More positively, however, the respondents are able to describe several useful strategies for both initiating as well as maintaining relationships. Conclusions: • The respondents describe acceptance and respect as important both in terms of initiating a relationship and to maintain a close relationship. • A straightforward and honest communication is said to facilitate the social interaction for the respondents. • The results of this study indicate that the respondents have a highly developed ability to describe thoughts and feelings in words. In an overview of the empirical data a dilemma emerged. The data suggested that despite the respondents ability to identify several strategies they had trouble implement these and still experience difficulties in the initiation of social interaction. I call this the implementation dilemma. I find that future research should seek to depart from the traditional perspective on disability research and to a greater extent focus on skills and resources rather than problems and obstacles.