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Studies commonly measure the challenges of caring for autistic adolescents and young adults, but scarcely explore the positive aspects of the caregiving experience. This study employed an equal-status concurrent mixed methods approach to quantitatively assess predictors of positive aspects of caregiving and qualitatively examine 174 caregivers’ perceived rewards, or positive aspects, of caring for autistic adolescents and young adults (ages 16–30 years). Results from multiple regression analyses suggest that youth’s helping behavior most strongly predicted positive aspects of caregiving, and youth receiving more services and caregivers’ greater report of social support and use of religious, acceptance, and instrumental support coping also significantly predicted greater reported positive aspects of caregiving. Findings from a phenomenologically informed thematic analysis suggest that caregivers find reward in witnessing youths’ progress and joyous qualities, in the caregiver–youth relationship, and in caregivers’ own growth. Mixed methods findings highlight that positive aspects of caregiving likely extend caregivers’ self-development and may be relationship-specific. Study findings offer a strengths-based framework that highlights the positive aspects of caring for autistic adolescents and young adults. We contribute to the research in defining factors related to positive aspects of caregiving, which may inform future work and contribute to caregiver well-being.We wanted to explore the positive, or rewarding, experiences of caregivers who were caring for older adolescents or young autistic adults. We surveyed 174 caregivers, asking questions about how they dealt with stressors, the support they had from people in their lives, and the different behaviors of the autistic youth they care for. Using an existing measure, as well as an open-ended question, we asked caregivers about the most rewarding aspects of caring for their youth. When examining survey responses, we found that caregivers who reported receiving more help and support from their autistic youth also reported more positive aspects related to caregiving. In response to our study’s open-ended question, caregivers talked about the reward of seeing their youth grow and progress (e.g. learning new skills, reaching new milestones), described positive aspects of the relationship with their youth (e.g. sharing a special bond), and reflected on their own learning and personal growth as caregivers and people. Our findings highlight the positive, or rewarding, aspects of caregiving for autistic adolescents and young adults. This work will inform future work studying positive aspects of caring for autistic individuals and how this may impact caregivers’ psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We sought to understand how patients and physicians conceptualize uncertainty in the permanent contraception decision-making process., Basic Procedures: In 2022-2023, we interviewed postpartum patients with a documented desire for permanent contraception (n = 81) and their delivering physicians (n = 67). Eligible patients gave birth at one of our four study hospitals in California, Ohio, Illinois, and Alabama. We used rapid content analysis and thematic content analysis to develop and refine themes related to uncertainty in permanent contraceptive decision-making., Main Findings: Most patients reported full certainty in their decision regarding permanent contraception, although some expressed doubts. After receiving permanent contraception, some patients discussed grief but overall affirmed their decision. One patient said they wished they had considered other contraceptive options. Physicians reported using a range of strategies to safeguard from patient regret, including ensuring patients were 100% certain with their decision, inferring certainty based on their characteristics, asking patients to think through all scenarios that could affect decision-making, and repeat counseling during multiple interactions., Principal Conclusions: Patient experiences reveal the depth, fluidity, and nuance of patients' contraceptive decision-making processes. Physicians sometimes failed to grapple with this nuance by centering potential regret in their counseling. Personalized and supportive contraceptive counseling that acknowledges the complexity of contraceptive decision-making is imperative. Shared decision-making can help ensure patients can make informed and autonomous decisions about their reproductive lives., (Copyright © 2024 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health, George Washington University. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)