Publication date: December 2019
Source: Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Volume 68
Author(s): Marion Rutherford, Anusua Singh-Roy, Robert Rush, Deborah McCartney, Anne O’Hare, Kirsty Forsyth
Abstract
Background
There is a need for better evidence in relation to parent-focussed interventions for older children (over 7 years) and adults, which are recommended in clinical guidelines.
Method
We conducted a systematic review of studies published between 2006 and 2016 investigating wellbeing outcomes of ASD parent focussed interventions via a search of electronic databases including MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINAHL and the Cochrane database.
Results
We screened 9605 titles, 57 full text articles and abstracts were read. Two were systematic reviews and 22 experimental intervention studies were included for review. Of these, five were Randomised Controlled Trials, three Controlled Trials and 14 Cohort studies.
Interventions were
Parent education and training (n = 12); Mindfulness or relaxation training (n = 6), Parent support groups (n = 2) and Multicomponent interventions (n = 2). Studies reported five wellbeing outcomes: quality of life, parent stress, self-efficacy, parenting style and satisfaction. Separate meta-analyses compared each outcome, to test and estimate the summary effect shared by studies reporting each intervention. Statistically significant outcomes were obtained for reducing parent stress via mindfulness training and for improving parent style and satisfaction, through parent education.
Conclusions
Analyses of a small number of studies indicate that parent focussed interventions could be effective in improving parent wellbeing, however further research is needed to determine optimal parent intervention models.