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Mindfulness Parenting and Childish Play: A Clinical Trial With Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Psicothema
August 1, 2023
Liliana P Rojas-Torres et al. (3 authors)
Clinical TrialJournal ArticleHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether Mindfulness Parenting (MP) training could improve psychological well-being (anxiety, stress) and mindfulness awareness in parents of children with autism.

Results Summary

The study found that MP training increased mindfulness awareness (non-judgment and reactivity) and reduced parental anxiety, general anxiety, and social anxiety, improving parent-child interaction. However, it did not affect parents' perception of autism severity.

Population

Parents (6 couples and 2 mothers) of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Effective Dosage

Not specified (8-week brief training programme).

Duration

8 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mindfulness Parenting (MP) intervention
increase
mindfulness awareness
fourteen parents (6 couples and two mothers) of children with autism
-
increased
#1
Mindfulness Parenting (MP) intervention
increase
non-judgment and reactivity
fourteen parents (6 couples and two mothers) of children with autism
-
increased
#2
Mindfulness Parenting (MP) intervention
decrease
anxiety (parental, general, social)
fourteen parents (6 couples and two mothers) of children with autism
-
reduced
#3
Mindfulness Parenting (MP) intervention
increase
parent-child interaction
fourteen parents (6 couples and two mothers) of children with autism
-
improving
#4
Mindfulness Parenting (MP) intervention
no change
parents' perception of the severity of the disorder
fourteen parents (6 couples and two mothers) of children with autism
-
did not influence
#5
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Problems of behaviour, communication, and social interaction associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders can overwhelm parents. Disturbances in parents' psychological well-being (anxiety, depression) affect adherence to treatment, making it less effective. There is a need to investigate how to increase psychological wellbeing in parents of children with autism. METHOD: An 8-week brief training programme using the Mindfulness Parenting (MP) intervention was applied to fourteen parents (6 couples and two mothers). Participants were assigned to one of two groups, both groups received the same treatment but at two different time points. Measures of anxiety (SCAARED), parental stress (PSI-4), autism severity level (AIM) and mindfulness awareness (FFMQ), were assessed. RESULTS: Analysis indicates that MP training increased mindfulness awareness, increasing non-judgment and reactivity, and consequently, reduced anxiety (parental, general, social), improving parent-child interaction. This improvement did not influence parents' perception of the severity of the disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The small number of participants precludes generalisation of the results. More clinical trials are needed to demonstrate the usefulness of including these programmes in early intervention services, as well as profiles of parents who may potentially benefit from it.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
FemaleHumansAutism Spectrum DisorderMindfulnessParentingParentsStress, PsychologicalMale
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality60/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year1.0
Relative Citation Ratio0.89
NIH Percentile45.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.14
Normalized Score0.62
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