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27-08-2019 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Self-Compassion: a Protective Factor for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Auteurs: Susanna Torbet, Michael Proeve, Rachel M. Roberts

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 12/2019

Abstract

Objectives

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face many unique challenges and experience higher parenting stress than other parenting groups. These parents also experience internalised stigma by association with their ASD affected child, known as affiliate stigma. These factors predict greater psychological distress and subsequently decreased well-being for parents. Recent evidence has suggested that the psychological construct of self-compassion may act as a protective factor against stigma, as well as positively influencing the experiences of parents.

Methods

An online survey was conducted with parents of children with ASD (N = 237), administering standardised measures to investigate levels of stigma and self-compassion, as well as psychological outcomes.

Results

Self-compassion was positively correlated with subjective well-being and negatively correlated with psychological distress and parenting stress. Hierarchical multiple regression controlled for background factors, known predictors (child symptom severity and social support), and various aspects of stigma. Self-compassion and affiliate stigma significantly added to explained variance as a predictor of well-being, psychological distress, and parenting stress.

Conclusions

Self-compassion was found to predict psychological well-being, lower distress, and lower parenting stress. If self-compassion is found to be causally related to these outcomes, interventions aimed at cultivating self-compassion and decreasing affiliate stigma may have benefits for parents of children with ASD.

vorige artikel Parental Mindfulness and Preschool Children’s Emotion Regulation: the Role of Mindful Parenting and Secure Parent-Child Attachment

volgende artikel Negative Mood Reduces Negative False Memories After a Brief Mindfulness Exercise

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Titel: Self-Compassion: a Protective Factor for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Auteurs: Susanna Torbet
Michael Proeve
Rachel M. Roberts
Publicatiedatum: 27-08-2019
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness / Uitgave 12/2019
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-019-01224-5

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Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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