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A mindfulness parent well-being course: evaluation of outcomes for parents of children with autism and related disabilities recruited through special schools

Jones, L; Gold, E; Totsika, V; Hastings, RP; Jones, M; Griffiths, A; Silverton, S; (2018) A mindfulness parent well-being course: evaluation of outcomes for parents of children with autism and related disabilities recruited through special schools. European Journal of Special Needs Education , 33 (1) pp. 16-30. 10.1080/08856257.2017.1297571. Green open access

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Abstract

Parents of children with intellectual disabilities and/or autism have been shown to experience higher levels of distress than other parents. Despite such data having been available for several decades, the evidence base for psychological interventions to support parental well-being is small. Recent data suggest that both mindfulness and acceptance processes are associated with decreased psychological distress for parents of children with intellectual disability and/or autism. In addition, some controlled evaluations of mindfulness-based interventions for these parents have resulted in positive outcomes for mothers in particular. In the present study 18 mothers and 3 fathers were recruited via special schools who then attended a Mindfulness Based Well-Being for Parents (MBW-P) group over eight weeks. Parents completed questionnaire measures before and at the end of the course. Statistical analysis showed significant reported increases in mindfulness and self-compassion, and reduced general stress. Parents also reported reductions in anxiety and depression, although these changes were not statistically significant. No significant reductions in their child’s behaviour problems or increases in the child’s prosocial behaviour were found. Parents also reported high levels of satisfaction with the course. These preliminary data suggest that further research studies testing the effectiveness of the MBW-P course are warranted.

Type: Article
Title: A mindfulness parent well-being course: evaluation of outcomes for parents of children with autism and related disabilities recruited through special schools
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1080/08856257.2017.1297571
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2017.1297571
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Autism, intellectual disability, mothers, fathers, mindfulness, psychological acceptance
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Division of Psychiatry
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10062146
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