Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Reducing Stigma Stress Among Parents of Autistic Children

NCT06975163 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2020-2021-0126
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 51
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that usually becomes apparent in early childhood. Those diagnosed with ASD commonly struggle with social communication and behavioral regulation, often facing widespread societal stigma across different cultures. This prejudice extends beyond the affected children to their parents, who are routinely subjected to baseless blame and viewed as incapable of proper parenting. Such persistent negative perceptions can foster profound emotional suffering and chronic stress linked to societal judgment. To date, there are no empirically supported interventions specifically aimed at alleviating stigma-induced stress in parents of autistic children. Nevertheless, studies in related fields indicate that mindfulness-based strategies could offer a potential coping mechanism. Addressing this gap, the current research presents a newly developed 4-week Mindfulness-Based Stigma Stress Reduction (MBSSR) program tailored for these parents. Using a randomized controlled trial, participants were divided into an MBSSR group or a waitlist control group, with both undergoing standardized evaluations at three distinct time points.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

Mindfulness; Stigma stress; Parents

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from Baseline Assessment in Stigma Stress on the Stigma Stress Scale at Post-Intervention Assessment and Follow-up Assessment

  The Stigma Stress Scale was utilized to assess perceived stigma harm and perceived coping resources on a 5-point scale where 1 indicated "strong disagreement" and 5 indicated "strong agreement".

  Before intervention, immediately after intervention, and one month after intervention

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change from Baseline Assessment in Well-being on the World Health Organization Well-Being Index at Post-Intervention Assessment and Follow-up Assessment

  Before intervention, immediately after intervention, and one month after intervention

• Change from Baseline Assessment in Caregiving Gain on the Positive Aspects of Caregiving at Post-Intervention Assessment and Follow-up Assessment

  Before intervention, immediately after intervention, and one month after intervention

• Change from Baseline Assessment in Caregiving Burden on the Zarit Burden Interview at Post-Intervention Assessment and Follow-up Assessment

  Before intervention, immediately after intervention, and one month after intervention

• Change from Baseline Assessment in Mindful Parenting on the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale at Post-Intervention Assessment and Follow-up Assessment

  Before intervention, immediately after intervention, and one month after intervention

• Change from Baseline Assessment in Child Autistic Symptoms on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale at Post-Intervention Assessment and Follow-up Assessment

  Before intervention, immediately after intervention, and one month after intervention

Study Arms (2)

Mindfulness-Based Stigma Stress Reduction (MBSSR) group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the MBSSR group received a 4-week MBSSR program immediately after randomization. Participants completed the post-intervention assessment right after the intervention and the follow-up assessment one month after the intervention.

Behavioral: Mindfulness-Based Stigma Stress Reduction (MBSSR) program

Waitlist control group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the waitlist control group waited for 4 weeks without the Mindfulness-Based Stigma Stress Reduction (MBSSR) program. Participants completed the post-intervention assessment and the follow-up assessment simultaneously with the MBSSR group. After completing the follow-up assessment, the waitlist control participants started the MBSSR program (equivalent to that of the MBSSR group).

Interventions

Mindfulness-Based Stigma Stress Reduction (MBSSR) program BEHAVIORAL

The MBSSR program was developed by modifying elements from the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) programs to create a distinct mindfulness intervention targeted at alleviating stigma stress among parents of autistic children. This program consisted of four group sessions, each incorporating mindfulness practices, group discussions, and activities that helped participants apply mindfulness principles to their daily lives.

Mindfulness-Based Stigma Stress Reduction (MBSSR) group

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Having a child formally diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) under Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) criteria by a registered medical practitioner
• Acting as the principal caregiver for the child
• Having the ability to read and write in Chinese
• Demonstrating the experience of stigma stress on the Family Stigma Stress Scale, defined as agreeing with item(s) that gauge perceived stigma harm and disagreeing with item(s) that evaluate perceived coping resources

You may not qualify if:

• Having participated in any mindfulness-based programs before
• Currently using psychiatric medications or receiving mental health services from professionals

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Education University of Hong Kong: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Education University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Kevin Ka Shing Chan

  The Education University of Hong Kong

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor, Head of Department of Psychology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 8, 2025
• First Posted: May 16, 2025
• Study Start: August 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: November 30, 2024
• Study Completion: November 30, 2024
• Last Updated: May 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)