Abstract: Rationale: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in adolescents affects their ability to communicate, interact socially and behave. In a cultural context marked by prejudice and a lack of awareness of the symptoms by family and relatives, there is a need to consider the transformation of the adolescent towards adulthood through all the changes likely to have an impact on the life of the family in a holistic manner. Given the complexity of African family structures, the aim is to understand the cultural signifiers likely to explain the appropriation of private space capable of preserving the intimacy and stability of adolescents with ASD.
Methodology: The study was conducted at the Functional Literacy Centre (CAF) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Using a comprehensive logic, the clinical method was used. Data was collected using an interview guide with three parents of adolescents living with ASD, which was then analysed using Phenomenological Interpretative Analysis (PIA).
Results: The experience of an ASD restricts the adolescent's ability to dream and to have a “place of one's own” because of the consideration given to cultural signifiers in such a context. The conditions of social life, the factor linked to vulnerability and the strong dependence on others, maintain the adolescent in a liminal posture and limit access to a setting of expression and intimacy likely to contribute to his or her development and autonomy.
Keywords: cultural signifiers, adolescent, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, private space, sense of appropriation.
Title: CULTURAL SIGNIFIERS, FEELING OF APPROPRIATION OF “PRIVATE SPACE” IN A FAMILY SETTING IN ADOLESCENTS LIVING WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN AN AFRICAN ENVIRONMENT
Author: TCHOKOTE Emilie Clarisse
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Vol. 13, Issue 4, October 2025 - December 2025
Page No: 631-639
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 26-December-2025
