Use of a relaxation technique by mothers of children with autism: A case-series study
Abstract
Mothers of children with autism are subject to considerable stress by having to adjust to the disorder and to cope with practical and social issues. Evidence on the effects of relaxation training on stress of these mothers is scarce. The purpose of this pilot case-series study was to examine the role of a simple 6-week daily stress management technique on mothers of children with autism. Mothers' stress measurements and children's functionality were assessed using validated instruments. Participants were 11 mothers of children with autism seen consecutively in the autism clinic of a children's hospital. Statistically significant median reductions of perceived and parental stress were noted after the 6-week intervention. Median stress scores were lower by 37.1% and 33% from the baseline values of the perceived stress scale and parental stress index, respectively. Stress was not significantly correlated with children's functioning. Stress management seems to have benefits for mothers of children with autism.
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Three of the quasi-experimental studies assessed parent outcomes comparing baseline and post-intervention results.
“Three of these studies assessed parent outcomes comparing baseline and post-intervention results (Bitsika & Sharpley, 2000; Gika et al., 2012; Peck, 1998).”
From Interventions that target improvements in mental health for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders: A narrative review (2017) · cites this paper as Gika et al., 2012
Six reviewed studies used only an immediate post-assessment.
“Six studies used only an immediate post-assessment (Bitsika & Sharpley, 2000; Gika et al., 2012; Kenney, 2010; LaPlante, 2013; Peck, 1998; and Whitney & Smith, 2014).”
From Interventions that target improvements in mental health for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders: A narrative review (2017) · cites this paper as Gika et al., 2012
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- Authors
- Gika, D. M., Artemiadis, A. K., Alexopoulos, E. C., Darviri, C., Papanikolaou, K., & Chrousos, G. P.
- Affiliations
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR)
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Aghia Sophia
- Children's Hospital Agia Sophia (GR)
- Corresponding author
- Artemiadis, Artemios K.
- Venue
- Psychological Reports
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2012-12
- Volume
- 111
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 797-804
- ISSN
- 0033-2941 (ISSN-L)
- 1558-691X
- OpenAlex
- W2135484652
- Cited by
- 25
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 1.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Reports (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, mothers of autistic children, parental stress, relaxation training, stress management, perceived stress, Parental Stress Index, child functioning
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Autistic Disorder, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Mothers, Pilot Projects, Relaxation Therapy, Stress, Psychological, Treatment Outcome
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