Acceptance and Commitment Training Focused on Psychological Flexibility for Family Members of Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

The objective of the study was to analyse the effect of a psychological flexibility intervention programme based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on 36 family members of children with intellectual disabilities. The 6-PAQ (parental psychological flexibility), PSS-14 (perceived stress), GHQ-12 (psychological health), and WBSI (suppression of unwanted thoughts) were used as measurement instruments before the programme (pre), after (post), and at follow-up (after two months). Possible change in family interactions due to the family intervention was also assessed through self-monitoring. A decrease in psychological inflexibility, a reduction in stress, an improvement in psychological well-being, and a reduction in the tendency to suppress thoughts and emotions were observed after the programme. Furthermore, the effects seem to extend to family interactions, with an increase in positive interactions and a decrease in negative ones. The study leads us to think about the importance of psychological flexibility in children with chronic conditions as a process that mediates the impact of stress and family well-being.

Third-Generation Behavioural Therapies in the Context of Neurodevelopmental Problems and Intellectual Disabilities: A Randomised Clinical Trial with Parents

“…We hypothesise that this type of effect may be more visible in the long term. Although we obtained similar results (included in the general health variable) in the clinical trial previously conducted by our team, it lacked a control group [23]. This study confirmed the efficacy of the intervention, since the differences between the two groups are very notable, thus providing evidence that the changes are not due to the mere passage of time or the fact that the patients are being evaluated and know that they are participants in a study.…”

“…The brief group intervention protocol for family members (9 h) followed a similar structure to the programme implemented in the previous study [23], and focused on (a) values clarification, (b) defusion strategies, (c) mindfulness training, (d) committed action, and (e) psychological acceptance. The theoretical and clinical skills guide by Harris, Páez, Montesinos, and Valdivia [32][33][34] was used as a basis for the therapeutic techniques.…”

“…In earlier research by our team, it was found that PF was connected to the effects of parental stress and health issues caused by parenting a child with intellectual disability [21]. Likewise, PF intervention programmes for parents reduced stress, improved quality of life, and modified maladaptive interaction repertoires among family members [22,23]. A randomised clinical trial was proposed with the aim of testing whether, after PF training, parents would reduce their stress, health problems, and tendency to suppress unpleasant thoughts and improve their PF.…”