Mindfulness Treatments for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2021
Open Access
Copyright Clearance Process
- Recently Added
- In Progress
- Open Access
This item is open access.
๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ. It is well documented that parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) experience increased rates of psychological distress. There is emerging evidence that mindfulness-based treatments may offer benefits to these families. The present dissertation examines the efficacy of mindfulness treatments for reducing distress in parents of children with DD, including relevant adaptations to treatment.
๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฑ/๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐น๐๐. Four independent studies were conducted. Study 1 involved a systematic review to examine the evidence-base for mindfulness treatments targeted to parents of children with DD. Data from eight randomised controlled trials, involving a pooled sample of 793 caregivers, confirmed that mindfulness treatments contributed to significant, medium to very large reductions in emotional distress. Study 2 used a case series design to investigate the efficacy of a mindfulness-based treatment not previously trialled in this population; Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MiCBT). While the results of this case series suggested that a combination of CBT and mindfulness meditation may be beneficial, recruitment difficulties led to the hypothesis that parents of children with DD may experience barriers to accessing psychological treatment for themselves. Specific barriers to treatment were subsequently examined in the third study, a survey of 80 parents. Treatment cost, arranging childcare, and availability of service providers were identified as key barriers. The final study examined the feasibility and efficacy of a mindfulness treatment that countered accessibility issues by being brief in duration and delivered online. While recruitment was once again problematic, parents reported improvements in general mood as well as mindfulness gains which were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Moreover, the online treatment was deemed feasible.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป. In combination, the present findings indicate that mindfulness treatments can be beneficial to parents of children with DD, with reductions in anxiety, stress and depression symptoms identified, alongside improvements in mindfulness skills. Despite this evidence, significant barriers to accessing face-to-face psychological treatment were reported. Importantly, an adapted mindfulness treatment that required low time commitment and could be readily accessed via smartphone at a low cost, demonstrated potential to substantially reduce parental distress. Nonetheless, engaging parentsโ commitment to even this brief, adapted treatment was a significant challenge. Clinicians who work with families who have children with DD should be aware of the difficulties that parents may have in prioritising treatment for themselves, but also the potential benefits of engaging them in even brief treatments.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: