Date of Conferral
2018
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Health Services
Advisor
Magdeline C. Aagard
Abstract
The number of African immigrants in the United States is increasing. The incidence of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the United States is also on the rise. Despite these increases, little information exists about the adequacy of care for African immigrants with autistic children in the United States. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to understand the factors that affect use of care for African immigrants with autistic children in the United States. Using Aday-Anderson model of health care utilization framework, this study focused on African immigrants in the United States who had children with Autism Spectrum Disorder from age 2- to 15-years-old. I used open, axial and selective coding to analyze my data and come up with a theory about utilization of care for African immigrants with autistic children. The results of this study showed a need for education to influence African immigrants to use care for their autistic children. Despite cultural stronghold, the use of care for African immigrant with autistic children was influenced by education, experience, need and recommendation. The African immigrant ASD Utilization of Care Model emerged. The positive social change implication of this study is improving the use of care for African immigrants with autistic children. African immigrants with autistic children in the United States will benefit from this study.
Recommended Citation
Davies, Leahnata, "Understanding Use of Care for African Immigrants with Autistic Children" (2018). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 5617.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5617
