1
|
Abdelaziz EM, Alsadaan N, Alqahtani M, Elsharkawy NB, Ouda MMA, Ramadan OME, Shaban M, Shokre ES. Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on Psychological Distress among Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Problem-Solving Appraisal. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:46. [PMID: 38247698 PMCID: PMC10813282 DOI: 10.3390/bs14010046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face considerable psychological distress. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown promise in reducing caregiver burden, but evidence in the Arab world is lacking. Problem-solving appraisal training may optimize CBT's benefits. This study evaluated a tailored CBT program emphasizing the role of problem-solving appraisal in managing distress through the process of CBT. Sixty mothers were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the CBT intervention group or the control group. The CBT group received 3-month sessions incorporating problem-solving appraisal training within a CBT curriculum from October 2022 to April 2023. Problem-solving techniques are focused on equipping individuals with the skills to identify, approach, and effectively resolve problems, leading to a reduction in stress levels and an improved capacity to cope with difficult situations. All mothers completed assessments of socio-demographics such as age, level of education, marital status, occupation, and adequacy of family income, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Problem-Solving Inventory (PSI) before and after the program. The CBT group showed significant pre-to-post reductions in depression, anxiety, stress, and general psychological distress compared to controls (all p < 0.05). They also exhibited significant improvements in problem-solving confidence, approach-avoidance style and personal control (all p < 0.05). The customized CBT program markedly improved psychological well-being for mothers of children with ASD in Egypt. Incorporating problem-solving techniques may optimize CBT's benefits cross-culturally. These findings have implications for the implementation of evidence-based support programs for families impacted by ASD worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enas Mahrous Abdelaziz
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (E.M.A.); (N.B.E.); (M.M.A.O.); (O.M.E.R.); (M.S.)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Nourah Alsadaan
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (E.M.A.); (N.B.E.); (M.M.A.O.); (O.M.E.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Mohammed Alqahtani
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Nadia Bassuoni Elsharkawy
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (E.M.A.); (N.B.E.); (M.M.A.O.); (O.M.E.R.); (M.S.)
- Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Marwa Mohamed Ahmed Ouda
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (E.M.A.); (N.B.E.); (M.M.A.O.); (O.M.E.R.); (M.S.)
- Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhur University, Damanhur 22516, Egypt
| | - Osama Mohamed Elsayed Ramadan
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (E.M.A.); (N.B.E.); (M.M.A.O.); (O.M.E.R.); (M.S.)
- Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Mostafa Shaban
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (E.M.A.); (N.B.E.); (M.M.A.O.); (O.M.E.R.); (M.S.)
- Geriatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Evon S. Shokre
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Fayum University, Fayum 63514, Egypt;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lievore R, Lanfranchi S, Mammarella IC. Parenting stress in autism: do children's characteristics still count more than stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic? CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37359637 PMCID: PMC10014138 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04441-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience higher levels of stress than parents of typically-developing (TD) children, due to differences in their children's emotional functioning. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the cognitive and practical demands on vulnerable populations and their families. The aim of this study was to examine parenting stress levels in parents of children ASD and TD children, considering the children's emotional functioning (i.e., anxiety and cognitive emotion regulation strategies), and stressful life events deriving from the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved 64 parent-child dyads comprising children from 7 to 16 years old, divided into two groups: 32 (26 M) children and adolescents with ASD but no intellectual disability, and 32 (26 M) with typical development. Our results show that parents of children with ASD reported higher levels of stress, but factors relating to the child and the context had a different influence on parenting stress in the ASD and TD groups. The higher level of parenting stress in the ASD group seemed to relate more to the children's emotional characteristics, while the TD group was more affected by the unpredictable stressful events prompted by COVID-19. Families' mental health should be considered a core aspect of supporting parents having to deal with both their child's emotional adjustment and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachele Lievore
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, Padova, 35131 Italy
| | - Silvia Lanfranchi
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, Padova, 35131 Italy
| | - Irene C. Mammarella
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, Padova, 35131 Italy
| |
Collapse
|