Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | Mindful Parenting Intervention for Mothers of Autistic Children: Results of a Pilot Study |
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| Contribution code | D3.025 |
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| Form of presentation | Poster |
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| Abstract |
Aim: Mindful parenting interventions are increasingly being used to help prevent and treat mental disorders in parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and ADHD. This study aims to evaluate the effects of an online-delivered Mindful Parenting group intervention on mental health of the mothers of autistic children. Method: The participants were mothers of children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The study group (n=32) received an 8-week online delivered group-based Mindful Parenting intervention. All sessions included brief description, examples, meditation practices, feedback and group discussion. Audio recordings were created for the meditations and sent to the participants via e-mail. The participants have completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Parental Stress Scale (PSS), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Brief Form (DERS-BF) before and after the intervention. Results and Conclusion: To be considered as having completed the program, participants had to attend at least 6 sessions and submit their post-intervention forms. Twenty-six participants in the intervention group met these criteria. There was a significant reduction in the total score of the DASS-21. When examining the subscales separately, significant improvements were observed in the stress, depression, and anxiety subscales. The PSS and DERS-BF also showed a statistically significant improvement in the total score. These results suggested that the intervention program had a positive effect on mothers' mental health. |