Third-Generation Behavioural Therapies in the Context of Neurodevelopmental Problems and Intellectual Disabilities: A Randomised Clinical Trial with Parents

David Lobato (), Francisco Montesinos, Eduardo Polín and Saray Cáliz
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David Lobato: Department of Psychology, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
Francisco Montesinos: Department of Psychology, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
Eduardo Polín: Department of Psychology, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
Saray Cáliz: Department of Psychology, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine how 14 parents of children with autism and intellectual impairments responded to an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based psychological flexibility intervention programme. A randomised clinical trial was conducted. Parents were randomly assigned to the training programme group ( n = 8) or waiting list group ( n = 6). The treatment effect was measured using the 6-PAQ, PSS-14, GHQ-12, and WBSI questionnaires. Changes in interactions were assessed through self-recording, including a baseline to observe the previous functioning. Measures were taken before and after the application of the intervention programme and three months later. After that, the control group was switched to the psychological flexibility programme condition. After the programme’s implementation, we could see a reduction in stress and the tendency to suppress unwanted private events. The impacts also appeared to apply to family interactions, resulting in a rise in positive interactions and a decrease in unfavourable ones. The results led us to think about the importance of psychological flexibility for the parents of children with chronic conditions, facilitating a reduction in the emotional impact derived from parenting and the emission of behaviours that promote the harmonious development of the diagnosed child.

Keywords: parenting; psychological flexibility; disability; neurodevelopmental; contextual therapies; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; parental stress; health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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