The Psychological Function of Existential Metaphors: Between Self-Regulation, Identity, and Adaptation

Abstract

This study examines the mother–child relationship in the context of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with a particular focus on the specific characteristics of single-parent families and on the mechanisms underlying parental burnout and systemic adaptation processes. The approach is both theoretical and applied, integrating the systemic perspective, the stress–coping model, and the family resilience framework, and is supported by evidence from the specialized literature as well as by an illustrative case study. The findings indicate that, in single-parent families—especially those headed by mothers—vulnerability to parental stress is heightened due to the concentration of responsibilities and the absence of conjugal support. At the same time, the presence of protective factors—such as social support, psychological intervention, and access to specialized services—can facilitate adaptive processes oriented toward resilience. The study proposes an integrative conceptual model that explains family adaptive trajectories in the context of ASD