Integrating Western and Buddhist Approaches to Problem Solving for Caregivers of Children with Autism
Keywords:
conceptual integration, problem solving, caregivers of children with autism, Buddhist psychology, preventive well-beingAbstract
This academic article aims to synthesize and integrate Western problem-solving concepts and Buddhist perspectives on problem solving for application in promoting the well-being of caregivers of children with autism. The article covers three main areas: 1) problem-solving concepts in Western contexts, particularly Problem-Solving Therapy (PST), the Social Problem-Solving framework of D’Zurilla and Goldfried, and its further development by Nezu et al.; 2) Buddhist perspectives on problem solving, grounded in the contemplation of suffering and causal conditions through the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, Dependent Origination, the Three Characteristics of Existence, the Four Divine Abodes, and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness; and 3) the proposal of an integrated conceptual framework combining PST, mindfulness, and Buddhist wisdom to explain the internal mechanisms of change among caregivers of children with autism. Caring for children with autism spectrum disorder is a complex responsibility involving behavioral, emotional, and daily-life management challenges. Caregivers are required to cope with uncertainty and make continuous decisions, which may lead to cumulative stress, fatigue, and increased risk of mental health problems. The synthesis indicates that Western approaches offer strengths in structured procedures, practical skills training, and empirical evaluation, whereas Buddhist approaches emphasize mental cultivation, reduction of attachment, understanding of causal conditions, and the development of an ethical meaning-making framework that deepens and sustains the problem-solving process. Therefore, the integration of these two perspectives can serve as a foundation for developing preventive well-being programs for caregivers of children with autism in Thai society, with an emphasis on enhancing problem-management skills, emotional regulation, and the holistic reduction of recurring suffering.
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