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

NCT06975163 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 51

Last updated 2025-05-22

No results posted yet for this study

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

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness-Based Stigma Stress Reduction (MBSSR) program

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Education University of Hong Kong

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Kevin Ka Shing Chan · The Education University of Hong Kong

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-08-01
Primary Completion
2024-11-30
Completion
2024-11-30

Countries

  • Hong Kong

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06975163 on ClinicalTrials.gov