ABSTRACT
Children with autism spectrum disorders often exhibit comorbid behavioral problems. These problems have an impact on the severity of the core symptoms, the progression of the disorder as well as on the families' quality of life. We evaluated the effectiveness of the Stepping Stones Triple P group parent training program as a supplementary intervention in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder. Therefore, we employed a single group repeated measures design and assessed child variables via parents' and teachers' judgments at four successive time points. The participants were parents of 24 children with autism spectrum disorder aged between 3.6 and 12 years. We found a significant reduction of comorbid behavioral problems in the children, primarily in the parents' judgment at follow-up. Furthermore, a reduction of the autism spectrum disorder core symptoms emerged. The teachers' judgment particularly revealed an improvement in children's social relationships. Effect sizes were large (Æ2 ranging from 0.14 to 0.23). The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the Stepping Stones Triple P as a supplementary intervention for reducing comorbid behavioral problems in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder. Higher parental self-efficacy and parental attributions, including parents' ability to influence child problem behaviors, are discussed as important factors for the effectiveness of Stepping Stones Triple P.
Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder , Education, Nonprofessional/methods , Parenting , Parents/education , Problem Behavior , Child , Child, Preschool , Conditioning, Operant , Conditioning, Psychological , Female , Humans , Male , Self EfficacyABSTRACT
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often are faced with the challenges of difficult parenting situations. We explored the effectiveness of the Stepping Stones Triple P (SSTP) group parent training as an additional intervention in the treatment of ASD. Parents (n = 23) went through a waiting period and participated afterwards in the training program. We assessed parenting variables via self-report measures. After the intervention, there was a significant reduction of over-reactive parenting behaviors, role restriction and an increase in parental self-efficacy. At follow-up, the effects remained stable and we additionally found a reduction of laxness and less parenting stress. Effect sizes were high (η2: 0.18-0.24). The SSTP, offered as an additional intervention in the treatment of ASD, proved to be effective in enhancing parenting.
Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder/psychology , Autism Spectrum Disorder/therapy , Early Medical Intervention/methods , Parent-Child Relations , Parenting/psychology , Psychotherapy, Group/methods , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Parents/psychology , Self Efficacy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The transgenerational transmission of mental disorders is one of the most prominent risk factors for the development of psychological disorders. Children of mentally ill parents are a vulnerable high risk group with overall impaired development and high rates of psychological disorders. To date there are only a few evidence based intervention programs for this group overall and hardly any in Germany. We translated the evidence based Family Talk Intervention by Beardslee (2009) and adapted it for groups. First results of this pilot study are presented. METHOD: This investigation evaluates a preventive group intervention for children of mentally ill parents. In a quasi-experimental design three groups are compared: an intervention group (Family Talk Intervention group: n = 28), a Wait Control group (n = 9), and a control group of healthy children (n = 40). Mean age of children was 10.41 years and parental disorders were mostly depressive/affective disorders (n = 30), but a small number also presented with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (n = 7). RESULTS: Children of mentally ill parents showed higher rates of internalizing/externalizing disorders before and after the intervention compared to children of parents with no disorders. Post intervention children's knowledge on mental disorders was significantly enhanced in the Family Talk Intervention group compared to the Wait Control group and the healthy control group. Parental ratings of externalizing symptoms in the children were reduced to normal levels after the intervention in the Family Talk Intervention group, but not in the Wait Control group. DISCUSSION: This pilot study of a group intervention for children of mentally ill parents highlights the importance of psycho-education on parental mental disorders for children. Long-term effects of children's enhanced knowledge about parental psychopathology need to be explored in future studies.
