title: Comparative Effects of Mindfulness and Support and Information Group Interventions for Parents of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities.
abstract: This study evaluated two community based interventions for parents of adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Parents in the mindfulness group reported significant reductions in psychological distress, while parents in the support and information group did not. Reduced levels of distress in the mindfulness group were maintained at 20 weeks follow-up. Mindfulness scores and mindful parenting scores and related constructs (e.g., self-compassion) did not differ between the two groups. Results suggest the psychological components of the mindfulness based group intervention were effective over and above the non-specific effects of group processes and informal support.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, 1001 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada. Yona.lunsky@camh.ca.
authors.forename: Yona
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lunsky
authors.affiliation: Centre for Educational Development Appraisal and Research, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: P Hastings
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, 1001 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: M Palucka
authors.affiliation: Community Living Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hutton
authors.affiliation: Developmental Services Ontario - Toronto Region, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Developmental disabilities; Intervention; Mindfulness; Parents