Exploring resilience of Filipino college students with siblings on the autism spectrum: A qualitative approach

Despite the growing attention to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), limited research has explored the lived experiences and resilience of sibling caregivers. This qualitative study explores how Filipino college students with siblings diagnosed with ASD navigate academic, emotional, and familial responsibilities while managing caregiving challenges. Seven participants were purposively selected and engaged in semi-structed interviews using a phenomenological approach to capture the lived experiences and resilience of participants. Findings reveal that resilience is fostred through spirituality, family beliefs, adaptive roles, and emotional communication. Participants reframed their caregiving experiences into meaning-making that shaped personal growth and career goals, and their empathy with others who share similar experiences. Despite enduring emotional burdens and academic sacrifices, they demonstrated emotional maturity, role flexibility, and coping strategies rooted in family connectedness. These insights highlight the complex interplay between caregining and student development. The study underscores the need for culturally sensitive, family-centered programs that support the mental health and academic struggles of sibling caregivers striving to balance their aducational and caregiving duties.