Abstract
We conducted a quasi-experimental study to test the effects of “the empowerment program for parents of adults with autism spectrum disorder” by Kawada and Nojima (J Kochi Women’s Univ Acad Nurs 44(1):43–55, 2018). The program has been developed on the theoretical premises of the family empowerment model and the andragogy model. The subjects were 36 parents of adults with high-functioning autistic spectrum disorder; 21 parents in the intervention group, and 15 parents in the control group. Outcome measures were the family empowerment scale (FES) modified by the author, the general health questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), and the short form-36 health survey version 2 (SF36-2). The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in some items: the FES item of “family,” the GHQ-28 items of “overall” and “anxiety/insomnia,” and the SF36-2 items “vitality” and “mental health.” This program had a positive impact on the improvement of empowerment, mental health condition, and the quality of life of parents.