Purpose: This pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT) evaluated the feasibility and exploratory effects of a mindful parenting participation program integrated into occupational therapy (OT) to enhance parental engagement in the self-care co-occupation of autistic children.
Material and methods: Twenty parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to the intervention (mindfulness-based training + conventional OT) or the comparison groups (conventional OT). The two-month intervention was followed by assessments immediately post-intervention and at two months. Outcomes were measured using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Mindfulness in Parenting Questionnaire (MIPQ), Parenting Stress Index (PSI), and CAPES-DD for parental self-efficacy.
Results: Feasibility was confirmed, with high rates of acceptability (87.5%), attendance (75%), compliance (75%), and fidelity. The intervention group showed preliminary and exploratory improvement in parental satisfaction with the child's self-care co-occupation compared to the control group, with a clinically meaningful change (SMD: 2.1 at the post-test, 1.4 at the follow-up). Improvements were also observed in mindful parenting and parenting stress. Parental self-efficacy showed delayed gains, becoming comparable at follow-up.
Conclusions: Embedding mindfulness into parenting co-occupations is feasible and potentially beneficial in improving parental satisfaction and psychological well-being. Future studies with larger samples and longer follow-up are warranted.
Keywords: Mindfulness; autism spectrum disorder; occupational therapy; parenting; self-care.
Mindfulness-based interventions can be effectively integrated into conventional occupational therapy for parents of autistic children, enhancing parental satisfaction with child self-care. Improvements in mindful parenting practices can foster better emotional regulation and responsiveness, reduce parental stress and improve caregiving.Incorporating mindfulness strategies into therapy for parents may promote long-term reductions in stress, contributing to better overall well-being.A combined approach of mindfulness and conventional occupational therapy offers a promising avenue for improving parental self-efficacy and enhancing caregiving skills in families of autistic children.