Volume 31, Issue 1 (3-2024)
RJMS 2024, 31(1): 1-14 |
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Research code: 0
Ethics code: IR.IAU.SARI.REC.1403.408
Clinical trials code: 0
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Balvayeh M, Naghsh Z, Rezaei S, Afrooz G A. Developming an educational program based on Spiritual vitality and Evaluating of Its Effectiveness on Hope, Engagement, and Parenting Stress Reduction in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. RJMS 2024; 31 (1) :1-14
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-9016-en.html
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-9016-en.html
PhD Candidate in Psychology, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran , balvayehmehdi@yahoo.com
Abstract: (123 Views)
Background & Aims: Autism is one of the most common pervasive developmental disorders, characterized by three main characteristics: poor social interaction, communication deficits, and restricted behaviors and interests; these weaknesses can lead to problems in children's academic achievement and social bonding. Children with autism usually face motor problems, gross and fine motor deficiencies, and avoidance of eye contact. The exact cause of autism is unknown, but factors such as genetic disorders and abnormal connections between neural networks in the brain play a role in its occurrence. Also, exposure to environmental factors such as heavy metals and deprivation of social experiences can also be aggravating. According to statistics, the prevalence of autism has increased significantly in the past 50 years, and more than 1.3 million children have been identified with this disorder in Iran. Parents of autistic children face many psychological and economic challenges, including stress, depression, and low quality of life. Mothers of these children are particularly likely to have poorer general health, and reducing their anxiety can significantly improve their general health. These challenges indicate the need for psychological and educational support for parents of children with autism. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex and multidimensional condition that, according to research, is observed across all racial, ethnic, cultural, and social boundaries, without any gender limitations. The primary aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a spiritual well-being-based educational program on hope, engagement, and stress reduction in parenting among these parents. Given the crucial role of parents in the rehabilitation process and the enhancement of the quality of life for children with autism, this research seeks to improve the psychological status of parents through a spiritually oriented educational program, thereby enhancing the quality of life for families and children affected by this disorder.
Methods: This study was designed and conducted in two phases: qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative phase involved the development of the spiritual well-being-based educational program, aimed at identifying the needs of parents and creating appropriate educational content. In this stage, content was developed through interviews and surveys with parents and specialists. The quantitative phase was executed as a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population included all mothers of children with autism who attended the Arā Educational and Rehabilitation Center. From this population, 30 participants were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Data collection in the qualitative phase utilized questionnaires and surveys. In the quantitative phase, data were gathered using Miller's Hope Scale, the short form of Abidin's Parenting Stress Index (1995), and the Parent Participation Scale by Anne Cargan (2002). Data analyses in the qualitative phase employed the Lavash method, while the quantitative phase utilized one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS-24 software.
Results: The results of the validity assessment of the developed educational program indicated a high level of credibility. However, the evaluation of the intervention's impact on hope revealed no statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups, indicating a lack of meaningful influence of the educational program on hope. In terms of the quality of the parent-teacher relationship, significant statistical differences were found between the two groups, with the experimental group showing a meaningful effect size of 0.43. Additionally, there was a significant difference in parent participation in school activities, with an effect size of 0.14 in the experimental group. Conversely, no significant differences were observed between the groups regarding parental approval of the school and the frequency of parent contact, indicating that the intervention was not effective in these dimensions. Furthermore, analyses revealed significant differences in parental distress and reduced ineffective interactions between the two groups, with effect sizes of 0.46 for distress and 0.57 for ineffective interactions in the experimental group. Finally, a significant difference was found in the overall stress scores between the experimental and control groups, indicating a meaningful effect of the educational program in reducing parental stress in the experimental group, with an effect size of 0.28. These results clearly demonstrate the positive impact of the spiritual well-being-based educational program on various psychological aspects of parents of children with autism.
Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the positive and significant effects of the spiritual well-being-based educational program on certain psychological dimensions of parents of children with autism. While the program did not significantly increase parental hope, it did yield positive results in improving the quality of parent-teacher relationships and increasing parental participation in school activities. Additionally, the reduction of parental distress and ineffective interactions in the experimental group clearly indicates the program's capacity to alleviate stress and enhance the psychological status of parents. Notably, the significant differences in overall stress scores underscore the program's effectiveness in reducing the psychological burden on parents. These findings suggest that spiritually-based interventions can serve as effective tools in supporting parents of children with autism and improving their quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended that similar educational programs be designed and implemented in rehabilitation and educational centers for parents of this demographic, enabling them to benefit from the advantages and effectively engage in the parenting process.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Clinical Psychiatry
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