South Korean Immigrant Parents' Experiences and Perspectives about Facilitating Community Physical Activity Programming
Seo Hee Lee
Seung Yeon Park
Samuel R. Hodge
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences and perspectives of South Korean immigrant parents of individuals with autism spectrum disorder about facilitating community physical education programs for their children. The research design was a multiple-case study design within a qualitative orientation whereby seven South Korean mothers of former students with an autism spectrum disorder in different regions were interviewed using Zoom technology. Interviews were conducted in the Korean language, transcribed into Korean, and then translated into English. The transcripts were analyzed by two South Korean researchers using the thematic data analysis method. Three themes emerged from the analysis, which were (a) exhausted, unaware, and uninterested, (b) support - parents and community; and (c) lacking. These central themes were supported and illustrated with sub-themes and interview narratives. The overall findings showed that South Korean immigrant parents of individuals with autism spectrum disorder were unaware and uninterested in community physical activity participation for their children due to a lack of adapted physical education programming, a lack of personal interests, a lack of experiences, and behavioral challenges of their children, and language and cultural differences.