Behavioral Parent Training and Psychological Problems in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of parental behavior training of mothers with autism spectrum disorder, on reducing anxiety, depression and stress in mothers. <br /> Methods: This was an experimental study with pretest, posttest, and a control group. The statistical population of the research was consisted of all mothers who have children with autism disorder. The sample of the research was compromised of 30 mothers with autistic children who were selected through available sampling and were blind matched in the form of two groups based on different variables such as age, education, economic status. The research tools were included Beck Depression Inventory- (BDI, II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) And Parenting Stress Index (PSI). The parents were trained during 9 sessions in examination group, each of which lasted for 90 minutes. Finally, both groups answered to the questionnaires as post test. The data was analyzed using ANCOVA test. <br /> Results: The results analysis shows the impact of experimental application on reducing the level of anxiety and depression of mothers in experimental group comparing control group (p<0/05). Parents' behavioral training also led to reduce parenting stress in examination group (p<0/05). <br /> Conclusion: In general, results show that mothers' behavioral training will reduce their psychological problems and prevent the parenting stress from increasing in mothers with autistic children.