South Korean immigrant parent and sibling perspectives on physical activity participation among adults with autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND

Although physical activity (PA) participation can promote physical health, social interaction, behavioral regulation, and overall quality of life among adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), South Korean immigrant parents and siblings may face distinctive challenges in supporting PA participation due to caregiving responsibilities, cultural and linguistic barriers, and limited access to supportive community-based resources.

METHOD: Guided by Family Systems Theory, this descriptive multiple-case study examined parent and sibling perspectives from four South Korean immigrant families, with each case including one parent and one sibling of an adult with ASD. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, demographic questionnaires, and the researcher's reflective journal. Within-case and cross-case analyses were used to identify patterns across parent and sibling accounts related to PA participation.

RESULTS

Three themes were identified: parents' and siblings' beliefs about the value of PA, parent and sibling burden in supporting PA, and contextual barriers to PA access. Although parents and siblings viewed PA as important, sustained participation was constrained by limited knowledge and confidence, caregiving overload, sibling role strain, reduced post-school opportunities, limited autism-friendly programs, and cultural and linguistic barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the need for culturally responsive PA supports that acknowledge parents' and siblings' roles within the family context, address post-school barriers to PA access, and expand sustainable community-based opportunities for adults with ASD.