ERIC Number: EJ1268034
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2311-6897
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Effect of Group Counseling in Reducing Parental Stress and Depression in Jordanian Mothers of Children with Autism
International Journal of Education and Practice, v8 n3 p518-535 2020
This study aimed to investigate the impact of a group counseling program on reducing parental stress and depression among mothers of Jordanian children with autism. A purposive sample comprising 40 mothers of children with autism was selected from three autism centers in Zarqa and Rusaifa in Jordan; these participants were then randomly assigned to either an experimental group (N = 20) or control group (N = 20). Participants were asked to complete both the Parental Stress Index--Short Form (PSI--SF; including its three sub-scales) and an amended Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS): pre- and posttest by both groups, and a six-week follow-up test by the experimental group. A CBT-based group counseling program was designed and 14 sessions were held three times per week over a four-week period. The difference between the pre- and posttest scores for the two groups revealed that the experimental group was significantly more likely to have lower levels of parental stress and depression. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in scores between the experimental group's posttest and follow-up assessment: Total Stress (Total PSI), Parental Distress (PD), and depression had all decreased significantly; Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction (PCDI) had also decreased, but not significantly; however, although not significantly, stress levels associated with a Difficult Child (DC) had increased.
Descriptors: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Depression (Psychology), Stress Variables, Measures (Individuals), Parent Child Relationship, Pretests Posttests, Scores, Comparative Analysis, Group Counseling, Program Evaluation, Mother Attitudes, Mothers, Behavior Problems, Outcomes of Treatment, Foreign Countries
Conscientia Beam. 19-C, Sunset Lane 3, DHA Phase 2 extension Karachi, Pakistan. e-mail: editor@conscientiabeam.com; Web site: http://www.conscientiabeam.com/journal/61
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Jordan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A