Developing the “Skippu‐Mama” program for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

The "Skippu-Mama" peer support program was developed to improve quality of life and reduce parental stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders. The program was designed to improve these variables by refreshing and healing participants' minds and bodies. Twenty-four mothers of 26 children diagnosed with ASD in Japan were included in the study and completed measures of quality of life and parental stress before, during, and after participation in the Skippu-Mama program. Our results demonstrated that time was a significant main effect. Further, multiple comparisons with Bonferroni corrections indicated a significant increase in World Health Organization Quality of Life 26 scores three months into the program and at its conclusion six months after commencement. Overall, the Skippu-Mama program improved the quality of life of mothers of children with ASD, and we believe that the intervention's focus on both individual and family variables may be especially effective in this population.

Changes in maternal feelings for children with autism spectrum disorder after childbirth: The impact of knowledge about the disorder

“…Furthermore, at the time of the survey, no significant difference in the mothers' feelings for their children was observed between the mothers of the TD children and those of the ASD children; however, the QOL at the time of the survey was lower, depressive and anxious tendencies at the time of the survey were higher, and a history of psychiatric treatment was more prevalent in the mothers of the children with ASD. This finding is consistent with previous reports that the caregivers of ASD children are under stress and have a high depressive tendency [ 7 ] and a lower QOL [ 36 ], which could be improved by social supports [ 37 ]. If selection bias did not exist, the negative emotions might have been stronger, and the psychiatric symptoms may have been greater.…”

Mental Health Interventions for Parent Carers of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Practice Guidelines from a Critical Interpretive Synthesis (CIS) Systematic Review

“…Seven studies [ 46 , 56 , 65 , 101 , 103 , 113 , 116 ] involved an intervention examining the role of social support and found parent carers involved in a parenting social group also reported decreased anxiety [ 65 ] and social stress [ 103 , 113 ], increased group cohesion [ 46 ], and improved health and family functioning [ 113 ] and quality of life [ 101 ]. The benefits of a parenting support group on measures of parental well-being was found to be maintained up to twelve months post intervention [ 115 ].…”

Quality of life of parents of mentally-ill children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…As shown in Table 3, the largest proportion of included studies focused on ASD and related disorders (n=12; Eapen et al 2014;Ji et al 2014;Niinomi et al 2016;Kuhlthau et al 2014;Benjak et al 2011;Allik et al 2006;Lee et al 2009;Suzumura 2015;Mugno et al 2007;Yamada et al 2012;Killian et al 2016;Chan & Lai 2016), followed by ADHD (n=7; Hadi et al 2013;Zare et al 2017;Xiang et al 2009;Kandemir et al 2014;Avrech Bar et al 2015;Schreyer & Hampel 2009;Lange et al 2005).…”

“…The mean age of children was mostly below ten years (14 studies; Eapen et al 2014;Ji et al 2014;Niinomi et al 2016;Kuhlthau et al 2014;Lee et al 2009;Suzumura 2015;Mugno et al 2007;Killian et al 2016;Avrech Bar et al 2015;Lange et al 2005;Naitoh et al 2012;Kilicoglu et al 2014;Egemen et al 2008;Yamada et al 2012).…”

“…And the percentage of males was mostly over 70% (in 19 studies;Eapen et al 2014;Ji et al 2014;Niinomi et al 2016;Kuhlthau et al 2014;Benjak et al 2011;Allik et al 2006;Lee et al 2009;Suzumura 2015;Mugno et al 2007;Chan & Lai 2016;Xiang et al 2009;Kandemir et al 2014;Avrech Bar et al 2015;Schreyer & Hampel 2009;Lange et al 2005;Jalenques et al 2017;Foldemo et al 2005;Naitoh et al 2012;Yamada et al 2012).…”