Mindfulness Parenting and Childish Play: A Clinical Trial With Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.