Teaching Parents Behavioral Strategies for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Effects on Stress, Strain, and Competence

Abstract

We report on parent outcomes from a randomized clinical trial of parent training (PT) versus psychoeducation (PEP) in 180 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and disruptive behavior. We compare the impact of PT and PEP on parent outcomes: Parenting Stress Index (PSI), Parent Sense of Competence (PSOC), and Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CGSQ). Mixed-effects linear models evaluated differences at weeks 12 and 24, controlling for baseline scores. Parents in PT reported greater improvement than PEP on the PSOC (ES = 0.34), CGSQ (ES = 0.50), and difficult child subdomain of the PSI (ES = 0.44). This is the largest trial assessing PT in ASD on parent outcomes. PT reduces disruptive behavior in children, and improves parental competence while reducing parental stress and parental strain.

Spanish version of the Parenting Sense of Competence scale: Evidence of reliability and validity

“…The assessment of the responsiveness of the PSOC-E scale was beyond the objectives of this study. However, other versions of the scale have been valuable for assessing the effectiveness of parenting interventions (Iadarola et al, 2018;Sheeber et al, 2012;Trillingsgaard, Maimburg, & Simonsen, 2015). Thus, future lines of research would include testing the performance of the PSOC-E after the first year of life, or following interventions, to assess the sensitivity to change of the PSOC-E.…”

“…We also expected that (b) the reliability of the scale and its efficacy and satisfaction dimensions will be adequate. Regarding evidence for the concurrent validity, (c) the PSOC‐E scores will be negatively correlated with depression (Ngai et al, ), fatigue (Cooklin et al, ), and parental stress (Iadarola et al, ), and positively related to the dyadic adjustment (Calvo & Bianco, ) and maternal age (Ngai, Wai‐Chi, & Ip, 2010). Finally, we expected that (d) the perceived parenting competence will be positively associated with the educational level of parents (Gilmore & Cuskelly, ; Seabra‐Santos et al, ) and the parity (Ngai, Chan, & Holroyd, ).…”

“…Specifically, previous studies show that the perception of parental self-efficacy influence (objective) parental competence, that is, their ability to offer children a quality physical and psychological environment (Coleman & Karraker, 1998). In addition, various studies have shown that low levels of perceived parenting competence are related to feelings of stress (Iadarola et al, 2018), anxiety (Chavis, 2016), fatigue (Cooklin, Giallo, & Rose, 2012), and depression (Angley, Divney, Magriples, & Kershaw, 2014) while in maternal roles. For all these reasons, the need for high-quality measurement methods for assessing and improving the effectiveness of current parenting competence interventions has been highlighted (Ruiz, Serrano, & Mujika, 2017).…”

Health coaching for parents of children with developmental disabilities: a systematic review

“…Traditionally, coaching is provided in the presence of the child (i.e. coaching while treating) . There is a potentially more cost‐effective and accessible coaching method, where it is applied to the parent (or group of parents), without the child's presence .…”

“…coaching while treating). 8 There is a potentially more cost-effective and accessible coaching method, where it is applied to the parent (or group of parents), without the child's presence. 9 This particular delivery model is increasingly being implemented, studied, and advocated for as an alternative to the traditional method.…”