York University, Canada.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada.
Autism. 2024 Feb;28(2):367-380. doi: 10.1177/13623613231172241. Epub 2023 May 11.
Parents of autistic children commonly experience difficulties with their own mental health. This study looked at the effects of a brief group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy program, developed for parents of autistic children, youth, and adults. ACT focuses on increasing psychological flexibility, which is the ability to be mindful and accepting of difficult thoughts and experiences, shown to be important for mental wellness. Participants included 54 parents of autistic people, ages 3-34. Parents were randomly divided into two groups: a Treatment group that received the intervention right away, and a Waitlist group that completed the program after the Treatment group completed the trial. All parents filled out questionnaires right before the program began, and at 3, 7, and 17 weeks after randomization. Compared to the group that was waiting to participate in the program, parents in the Treatment group reported greater improvements in depression and family distress, and these improvements were still present 4 months later. Parents in the Treatment group also reported short-term improvements in their positive feelings and personal goals, compared to those waiting. Results showed that ACT may help improve some aspects of mental health for parents of autistic children, but further research is recommended.
自闭症儿童的父母通常会在自身心理健康方面遇到困难。本研究着眼于一种针对自闭症儿童、青少年和成年人的父母的简短的基于团体的接受与承诺疗法（ACT）计划的效果。ACT 侧重于提高心理灵活性，这是一种对困难的想法和经历保持正念和接受的能力，对于心理健康很重要。参与者包括 54 名自闭症人士的父母，年龄在 3 到 34 岁之间。父母被随机分为两组：治疗组立即接受干预，等待组在治疗组完成试验后完成该计划。所有父母在项目开始前、随机分组后 3、7 和 17 周填写了问卷。与等待参加该项目的小组相比，治疗组的父母报告称，抑郁和家庭困扰有所改善，并且这些改善在 4 个月后仍然存在。与等待组相比，治疗组的父母还报告说，他们的积极情绪和个人目标有短期改善。结果表明，ACT 可能有助于改善自闭症儿童父母的某些心理健康方面，但建议进行进一步研究。
