Resilience Intervention for Parents of Children with Autism: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial of the AMOR Method

Schwartzman, Jessica M.; Millan, Maria Estefania; Uljarević, Mirko; Gengoux, Grace

doi:10.1007/s10803-021-04977-y

Cited by 25 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 98 publications

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“…Findings suggest that the mental health of parents impacts the perception of, and response to, the stress and anxiety of their child. This appears consistent with previous findings of more negative perceptions of child functioning among parents with higher stress and anxiety (Ooi et al, 2016;Schwartzman et al, 2021;Shine & Perry, 2010). Given this, mental health support strategies must consider parental well-being in addressing the needs of the child.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Additionally, parents of children with ASD have higher rates of stress in general (Abbeduto et al, 2004), which may be magnified during stressful life events (Barker et al, 2011) such as a pandemic. Emerging research on interventions for parents of youth with ASD suggests that mindfulness (Benn et al, 2012;Dykens et al, 2014), resilience (Kuhlthau et al, 2020;Schwartzman et al, 2021), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Kowalkowski, 2012) are effective strategies for reducing parental stress. Interestingly, differences in Adult stress emerged across groups but not across youth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, parents could utilize mindful breathing exercises (Kuhlthau et al, 2020), engage in exercises of values and committed actions (Kowalkowski, 2012), or cognitive restructuring techniques (e.g., Double Standard Method, Examining Alternatives) to reduce stress or challenge unhelpful thoughts. Recent investigations of resilience interventions for parents of youth with ASD demonstrate promise, with particular benefits in decreasing parental stress and anxiety (Kuhlthau et al, 2020;Schwartzman et al, 2021). Preliminary evidence in one trial suggested the potential for altered parent perceptions of child functioning following participation in a resilience intervention (Schwartzman et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, it is highly plausible that their stress may be magnified during the pandemic. Moreover, predictive models of parent stress indicate the extent to which a parent experiences stress can influence how they perceive the affective behavior of their child (Bishop et al, 2007;Schwartzman et al, 2021). Findings across studies suggest a positive association between parents' stress and negative perceptions of child functioning such that parents with higher stress also reported more difficulties in their child, and vice versa (De Los Reyes & Kazdin, 2006;Treutler & Epkins, 2003;Youngstrom et al, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Increased parental stress has been associated with more discrepant parent-child reports of child anxiety symptoms in ASD (Ooi et al, 2016). Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging research elucidated the influence of parenting stress on parent ratings of self, family, and child functioning in ASD (Ooi et al, 2016;Schwartzman et al, 2021;Shepherd et al, 2018). Given this, pre-existing parenting stress may be further exacerbated by the welldocumented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic on family life (Brown et al, 2020;Daks et al, 2020;Park et al, 2020;Spinelli et al, 2020), which likely influences parent perceptions of their own stress and that of their child.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of COVID‐19 on stress, anxiety, and coping in youth with and without autism and their parents

et al. 2021

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In the wake of COVID‐19, the world has become a more uncertain environment—a breeding ground for stress and anxiety, especially for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study examined stress, anxiety, and coping in a data‐driven, real‐time assessment of 122 youth with and without ASD and their parents at the height of the COVID‐19 shutdown and three‐months later. Standardized measures were administered to ascertain stress and coping explicitly related to the pandemic (RSQ COVID‐19‐Child [self‐report], Adult [self‐report from the guardian of youth], Parent [report about child]) and anxiety (STAI‐C, STAI‐A). Multivariate, univariate analyses of variance and hierarchical regression were used. ASD youth endorsed more Trait anxiety and response to specific stressors (e.g., virus). Caregivers of youth with ASD (Adults) self‐reported higher anxiety, yet scores were elevated for both groups. Adults of youth with ASD reported more stress, especially related to the virus, access to healthcare, and concern for the future. In the TD group, youth and adults used more Primary and Secondary Control Coping whereas ASD youth and adults used more Disengagement Coping. Adult stress was the primary predictor of parent perception of child stress as well as Child self‐reported stress. While the ASD group was consistently high compared to the TD group, there were no significant changes over time for stress or anxiety. Results reveal striking differences in youth with ASD and their parents regarding stress, anxiety, and coping. Findings highlight the need for essential support, access to services, and strategies to enhance psychological and emotional well‐being. Lay Summary This study examined stress, anxiety, and coping related to the COVID‐19 pandemic in 61 youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 61 youth with typical development (TD) and their parents. Results showed that ASD youth reported more anxiety and stress. Adults of youth with ASD indicated higher self‐reported anxiety and stress than adults of TD youth. TD youth and their parents reported using more adaptive coping strategies. Findings highlight the need for strategies to enhance psychological and emotional well‐being.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of COVID‐19 on stress, anxiety, and coping in youth with and without autism and their parents

et al. 2021

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Mindfulness-enhanced parenting programmes for improving the psychosocial outcomes of children (0 to 18 years) and their parents

Featherston,

Barlow,

Song

et al. 2024

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

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Cognitive-Based Interventions for Improving Psychological Health and Well-Being for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Li,

Yong,

et al. 2023

J Autism Dev Disord

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This review aims to systematically summarize existing evidence to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-based interventions (CBIs) on psychological health and well-being among parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD). Six databases were searched to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from their inception to April 2023. The revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for RCTs was applied to assess the risk of bias and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model. Twenty-five RCTs involving 1915 participants were identified. The results indicated that CBIs reduced parental stress levels (Hedges’ g = − 0.69), depressive symptoms (g = − 0.95), anxiety levels (g = − 0.78), and parental distress (g = − 0.29), and improved parental well-being (g = 0.62) and parent‒child relationships (g = 0.43) postintervention compared with the active/inactive control groups. Subgroup analysis of the effectiveness of interventions using mindfulness-based interventions and cognitive behavioural therapy showed positive effects. The favourable intervention duration and participant targets were also identified in this review. Furthermore, the effects of CBIs were impacted by the different types of DD among the children. This review highlighted the positive effects of CBIs on parental stress levels, depressive symptoms, anxiety levels, parental distress levels, parental well-being levels, and parent‒child relationships. Future well-designed RCTs are needed to further investigate the effects of MBIs and CBT interventions on children with DD and their parents, as well as the factors and mechanisms of action affecting the efficacy of these interventions.

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Resilience Intervention for Parents of Children with Autism: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial of the AMOR Method

Cited by 25 publications

References 98 publications

The impact of COVID‐19 on stress, anxiety, and coping in youth with and without autism and their parents

The impact of COVID‐19 on stress, anxiety, and coping in youth with and without autism and their parents

Mindfulness-enhanced parenting programmes for improving the psychosocial outcomes of children (0 to 18 years) and their parents

Cognitive-Based Interventions for Improving Psychological Health and Well-Being for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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