Clinical Trial: Development of a Resiliency Training Program for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Development of a Resiliency Training Program for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Brief Summary:

This study has three aims:

Phase I: Through focus group interviews with expert clinicians, leaders of organizations, and parents with children with ASD, this study aims to identify the psychosocial needs of parents of children with ASD, specifically a) the types of concerns that parents find most difficult and stressful b) areas of concern that lack support and resources, and c) areas of need for education and skill training. This study also aims to gather feedback on the Benson-Henry Institute's Relaxation Response Resiliency Program (3RP).

Phase II: Informed by Phase I findings, this study aims to develop and determine the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual 8-session Relaxation Response Resiliency (3RP) program for parents of children with ASD.

Phase II: This study also aims to test the effectiveness of a pilot wait-list control trial, establishing efficacy of a virtual resiliency program.


Detailed Summary:

According to the Center for Disease Control in 2012, 14.6 per 1,000 children aged 8 years old have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Having a child with ASD is associated with medical expenditures of 4.1-4.6 times more than having a child without autism, and associated with 8.4-9.5 times greater general expenditures. Furthermore, children with ASD are more likely to use out-of-school behavioral health services than children without developmental or psychiatric diagnoses. Parents of children with ASD consistently show high levels of perceived distress and anxiety related to child-parent relationships, intellectual functioning, adaptive behaviors, in addition to poorer health than parents of children of typical development. These parents also exhibit significant stress related to the emotional and financial challenges of putting together treatment and future-related plans for their children. Recent studies have found a positive relationship between caregivers' stress levels while raising a child with ASD and child behavioral and conduct problems.

There is growing literature on the increased levels of parental stress associated with caring for children with ASD. One study found that caregivers of children with ASD with behavioral, hyperactivity, and emotional problems displayed atypical cortisol patterns, a biological marker of increased stress. A review article provides a comprehensive overview of the links between high levels of parental stress among parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and child health and well-being. In addition to social phobias associated with children with ASD, one study even found that caring for a child with ASD showed higher stress levels for the parents correlated with the child's social impairment severity. Finally, recent studies have also found that many parents of children with ASD exhibit psycholog
Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Current Primary Outcome: Perceived stress [ Time Frame: change between baseline (week 0) to post intervention (week 52)] ]

perceived stress scale 10-item self report questionnaire


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Stress Reactivity [ Time Frame: change between baseline (week 0) to post intervention (week 52) ]

Measure of current status validated self report questionnaire


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Massachusetts General Hospital

Dates:
Date Received: December 14, 2016
Date Started: December 2016
Date Completion: December 2017
Last Updated: December 14, 2016
Last Verified: December 2016