Solution focused brief intervention for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder: A single subject design.

摘要

Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience mental illnesses and stress at a greater rate than the general population. Research has shown that mental illness and stress among caregivers result from cognitive distortions, thus supporting the use of cognitively based therapies to address these distortions and reduce stress. However, there is no published research assessing the impact of stress and cognitive distortion of caregivers raising a child with ASD. Cognitive theory and radical behaviorism provided the foundation for this study. Using a convenience sample (n = 3) of caregivers of children with ASD who attended 5 sessions of solution focused brief intervention (SFBI), the study hypothesized that caregivers would experience a reduction in cognitive distortions (helplessness, hopelessness, preoccupation with danger, self-criticism, and self-blame) and stress over 5 weeks time. The study used a single-subject multiple baseline design to evaluate overall stress scores from the Parenting Stress Index, and cognitive distortion scores from the Cognitive Distortion Scales. Using visual analysis, the results indicated that 1 in 3 participants demonstrated a reduction in symptoms across all domains of stress and cognitive distortion. Two of the 3 participants experienced a reduction in cognitive distortions of self-blame and preoccupation with danger but not stress. Although the results should be considered with caution, this study contributed to positive social change by providing preliminary evidence that SFBI may be a useful treatment option for reducing stress and cognitive distortions in caregivers of children with ASD, providing a viable protocol to treat the unique needs of this population.