Objectives: This study aimed to develop a modulated program of parenting skills and to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing autistic symptoms and increasing parental adjustment.Methods: This quasi-experimental study utilized in two phases, a pretest-posttest design and a control group. First, a treatment program with both individual and group structure was constructed considering available treatments such as cognitive-behavior therapy, social stories, and play therapy catered to autistic children and the needs of their families. The program consisted of techniques such as acceptance, common cognitive errors challenge, control of thoughts, emotions and behavior, the principles of reward and punishment, and crisis management etc. The validity of the program was confirmed by four experts. Secondly, 26 volunteer qualified couples selected from the parents were referred to a rehabilitation center in Tehran, and were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The pretest was performed for all participants. Then, the control group was kept away from the program during the 10 sessions of group, four sessions of individual, and two sessions of family therapy for each couple in the experiment group.Results: Univariate analysis of Covariance showed that the program significantly improved marital adjustment in parents (F=22.018, P=0.001), and successfully reduced the symptoms of autistic disorder in social interaction (F=5.733, P=0.027) and relations (F=10.07, P=0.005). However, it did not significantly affect stereotyped behaviors (F=4.304, P=0.053) and development (F=0.448, P=0.511) of autistic children in the experimental group. Discussion:The compiled parenting program is recommended to improve parental empowerment for the families of autistic children, because it is capable of reducing autistic symptoms in social interaction and relationships as well as improving marital adjustment in such families. A B S T R A C T

BackgroundSubstance abuse in the youth is one of the major problems of any society. The research purpose was the development of a program for changing female adolescents’ attitude toward substance abuse and evaluating its effectiveness.MethodsTo develop the treatment, important variables influencing in shaping attitudes toward substance abuse were selected. Afterwards, structural equation modeling approach was conducted for examining the relationship among variables (emotional intelligence, critical thinking, caring thinking and reasoning) and identifying significant paths and variables. Based on these variables, a program developed for changing students’ attitudes. To evaluate effectiveness of programs a pretest-post test design with the control group was used. Random sampling was carried out for selecting 26 students attending senior high schools in district 2 of Tehran. Then, sample randomly assigned in experimental and control groups. Experimental group exposed to philosophy for children intervention in the form of community of inquiry. Control group didn’t receive the intervention. The data were collected from Nazari's questionnaire for attitude toward substance abuse.ResultsANCOVA revealed that based on a composite score of attitude toward substance abuse (adjusting pretest effect), there is a significant difference between two groups at 0.99 significance level (partial = 0.329, P < 0.001, = 11.28).ConclusionsIt is recommended that the school based program should be used for developing and strengthen the students’ attitude based on exploring itself, rather than simply giving awareness about substance abuse. In this treatment, rather than highlighting accumulating knowledge, put emphasis on, thinking, decision-making, and management of emotions.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.