Development of the parental self-efficacy scale for preventing challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Background Almost all children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have experienced challenging behavior, including disruptive and aggressive behavior symptoms to both themselves and others. In conjunction with appropriate strategic parenting, challenging behavior can be prevented by empowering children's sociality and optimizing their environment. However, a means of measuring such parenting has yet to appear. This study developed the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale for Preventing Challenging Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (PASEC) and evaluated its reliability and validity. Method Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 1,344 parents of children with ASD at all 521 child development support centers in Japan. Confirmed construct validity of the PASEC was determined using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency of the PASEC was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. The self-efficacy subscale of the Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) was administered to assess criterion-related validity of the PASEC. Results In total, 260 parents provided valid responses. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified six items from two factors: empowerment of children's sociality and optimization of children's environment. The final model showed goodness-of-fit index, 0.981; adjusted goodness-of-fit index, 0.944; comparative fit index, 0.999; and root mean square error of approximation, 0.019. Cronbach's alpha for the entire PASEC was 0.82; that for each factor was above 0.70. The correlation coefficient between the self-efficacy subscale of the PSOC and the entire PASEC was r = 0.52 (P <0.001).

Effectiveness of Nursing Intervention Based on Family Empowerment Model on Burden of Care and Self-Efficacy for Caregivers of Children with Autism Disorder

“…Moreover, 35.7% of caregivers had severe total burden preprogram that decreased post program to 0.0%. Table (7) denotes improving the mean changes of studied caregivers' self-efficacy post program compared by preprogram. Also, highly statistically significant variations concerning self-efficacy were found between pre and post implementation of the nursing intervention at P<0.001.…”

“…Accordingly, Caregivers will develop, maintain, and improve social interaction opportunities for their children and enhance their growth and development. Additionally, improving caregivers ' self-efficacy to avoid challenging behavior will improve the mental health of both caregivers and children as well as prevent harm and maltreatment (7) . Caregivers have a great influence on the condition of their children with AD.…”

Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence of Content Validity

“…Another more recent instrument that can also be identified is the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale for Preventing Challenging Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (PASEC), currently under development by Kabashima et al (2020). Like PSEMAS, PASEC also has as a limitation the focus on a specific domain of care and raising of children with ASD, the presence of challenging behaviors.…”

Self-Efficacy in Parents of Children With Special Needs: A State-of-the-Art Review of Research and Implications

“…Unlike Kabashima et al (2020) and Lu et al (2021), the study by Sofrnoff and Farbotko (2002) aimed to use an intervention program to promote the self-efficacy of parents of children with Asperger to cope with their child's challenging behavior. Thus, their research aimed to find ways to support the parents' self-efficacy in dealing with the challenging behavior of the child.…”

“…In addition, parents who believed that IBI would have a positive effect on their child were also more likely to participate in the program themselves. Kabashima et al (2020) found that the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale for Preventing Challenging Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (PASEC) can help prevent challenging behaviors in children, and thus promote parents' self-efficacy and contribute to improving the mental health of parents and children. When parents understood their children's feelings and behaviors, they were able to respond to them more appropriately.…”