Can J Occup Ther. 2024 Mar;91(1):17-28. doi: 10.1177/00084174231172036. Epub 2023 Apr 27.
Many caregivers of autistic children experience increased stress, and diminished health often due to the caregiving demands. The project aim was to design a feasible and sustainable wellness program tailored to these caregivers' lives. In this collaborative research-informed project, participants (N = 28) were mostly female, white, and well-educated. In focus groups, we delineated lifestyle issues, then designed, delivered and assessed an initial program with one cohort; and repeated this process with a second group. Focus group data were transcribed then coded qualitatively to inform following steps. Data analysis identified lifestyle issues key to program design, desired program elements, and after program delivery, affirmed elements and recommended changes. The team used meta-inferences to guide program revisions after each cohort. Caregivers viewed resulting program as filling a significant service gap; its hybrid design used in-person coaching and a habit-building app with mindfulness content to support lifestyle change.
许多自闭症儿童的照顾者经历了压力的增加，健康状况下降，这往往是由于照顾的需求。该项目的目的是设计一个可行和可持续的健康计划，以适应这些照顾者的生活。在这个合作的研究型项目中，参与者（N=28）主要是女性、白人且受过良好教育。在焦点小组中，我们确定了生活方式问题，然后设计、提供和评估了一个针对一个队列的初始计划；并对第二组重复了这个过程。焦点小组的数据被转录，然后进行定性编码，以提供后续步骤的信息。数据分析确定了对计划设计至关重要的生活方式问题、期望的计划要素，以及在计划实施后，确认了要素并提出了修改建议。团队在每个队列后使用元推断来指导计划修订。照顾者认为由此产生的计划填补了一个重要的服务空白；其混合设计使用了面对面的辅导和一个带有正念内容的习惯养成应用程序，以支持生活方式的改变。
