The Effect of a Micro-Appreciation Intervention (Three-Things Journal Application) on Caregiver Burden, Family Functioning, and Happiness Levels for Mothers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

NCT07124091 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 0000-0002-5515-2752
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 126
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which individuals experience significant difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Families of children with ASD, especially mothers, face a high level of physical, emotional, and psychological caregiving burden while trying to adapt to their children's developmental needs. Constant caregiving responsibilities increase the risk of burnout, stress, and depression in mothers, while also negatively impacting family functioning and life satisfaction. Mothers of children with ASD require greater emotional resilience, self-regulation, and social support than those in traditional parenting roles. In this context, interventions that support psychological well-being offer important strategies that can help mothers cope with the burden of care. In recent years, positive psychology-based interventions have been shown to positively contribute to individuals' mental health and are effective in increasing subjective well-being. Positive psychology approaches help individuals recognize and focus on the positive aspects of their lives, reducing stress levels and increasing psychological resilience. One such approach, micro-appreciation interventions, aims to increase individuals' positive emotional experiences by consciously focusing on small but significant positive events they encounter in their daily lives. Micro-appreciation interventions change individuals' perceptual frameworks, encouraging them to focus on positive moments instead of negative experiences. Such interventions stand out as an effective method for reducing the psychological and physiological effects of stress, increasing positive emotions, and improving overall life satisfaction. One micro-appreciation intervention, the "Three Things Journal," is a simple yet effective strategy that involves individuals writing down three positive events they appreciate in their lives each day. Research has shown that this practice is effective in increasing individuals' awareness of positive experiences, reducing levels of depression and anxiety, and increasing subjective well-being. Regularly experiencing positive emotions strengthens individuals' ability to cope with challenges and increases their psychological resilience and optimism. Especially for individuals under intense stress, such small but regular practices can yield greater psychological benefits in the long term.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Parental Stress

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Happiness Levels as Measured by the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire - Short Form (OHQ-SF)

  The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire - Short Form (OHQ-SF) is a 7-item scale used to assess individual levels of happiness. Each item is rated on a Likert scale. Total scores range from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating greater happiness. The Turkish adaptation was validated by Doğan and Çötok (2011) with a reliability coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) of .74 and test-retest reliability of .85.

  Baseline and Week 5

• Change in Caregiver Burden as Measured by the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI)

  The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) is a 22-item self-report instrument assessing perceived burden among caregivers. Each item is scored from 0 ("Never") to 4 ("Nearly Always") using a 5-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 88, with higher scores indicating greater caregiver burden. The Turkish version was validated by İnci and Erdem (2007), with a Cronbach's alpha of .90.

  Baseline and Week 5

• Change in Family Functioning as Measured by the Family APGAR Scale

  The Family APGAR Scale is a 5-item measure of satisfaction with family functioning across five dimensions: adaptability, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve. Each item is rated on a 3-point scale from 0 ("Rarely") to 2 ("Almost always"). Total scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction with family functioning. Scores between 0-3 suggest low satisfaction, 4-6 moderate satisfaction, and 7-10 high satisfaction. The Turkish version was validated by Özcan et al. (2011), with a Cronbach's alpha of .793.

  Baseline and Week 5

Study Arms (2)

Positive Event Writing Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Mothers in this group will be asked to write down three positive events each day for four weeks as part of a positive psychology journaling intervention.

Behavioral: Positive Event Writing Intervention

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Mothers in the control group will not receive any intervention.

Interventions

Positive Event Writing Intervention BEHAVIORAL

Mothers in the intervention group will be asked to write down three positive events each day for four weeks as part of a positive psychology journaling activity..

Positive Event Writing Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 years or older
• Willing to participate in the study
• Able to read and understand Turkish
• Being a mother of a child with special needs

You may not qualify if:

• Younger than 18 years
• Unwilling to participate in the study
• Unable to read or understand Turkish
• Not having a child with special needs

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cukurova University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Batman University

Batman, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Mehmet Emin ŞANLI, Asist.Prof.

CONTACT

005071510747; m.emin--4747@hotmail.com

Müjde KERKEZ, Asist. prof

CONTACT

05059718697; mujjde_@hotmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assist. Prof. Dr

Model Details: Randomyzed control

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 28, 2025
• First Posted: August 15, 2025
• Study Start: May 30, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 30, 2025
• Study Completion: August 30, 2025
• Last Updated: August 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)