A Coping Effectiveness Training Intervention for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum: A Feasibility Study
Condition: Autism Spectrum Disorders
MeSH terms: Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      In recent years, there have been a growing number of individuals diagnosed with Autism
      Spectrum Disorders (ASD). As such, this increase has expanded the number of caregivers of
      children with ASD. Research has shown that having a child with an ASD is stressful for
      caregivers and their families. More specifically, prior research suggests that caregivers of
      children with ASD may find it difficult to maintain feelings of control and to cope with the
      overall physical and emotional demands of caring for their child. A previous study of
      caregivers of children with ASD found that caregivers felt a lack of personal control over
      aspects of their child s condition and also found it difficult to cope with various demands
      of caregiving. Furthermore, this study found that greater levels of perceived personal
      control and the use of problem-focused coping strategies were associated with caregivers
      adaptation to their child s condition. As such, the goal of our research is to conduct a
      feasibility study using a coping effectiveness training (CET) intervention designed to
      enhance perceived personal control (PPC) and coping efficacy in caregivers of children with
      ASD. There has been a growing interest in developing interventions targeted at constructs
      involved in the adaptation process. However, there have been few studies of interventions
      targeting predictors of adaptation such as PPC and coping efficacy. Research has shown that
      the CET intervention can enhance coping efficacy in several other populations. This
      intervention also incorporates appraisals of one s ability to change a particular situation.
      The conceptual framework for our study was adapted from Lazarus and Folkman s Transactional
      Model of Stress and Coping. A cross-sectional randomized treatment-control design is proposed
      to evaluate the use of a CET intervention intended to enhance PPC and coping efficacy.
      Caregivers of children with ASD will be recruited from support groups, autism resource
      centers, and four clinics. Participants randomized to the treatment group will be asked to
      complete baseline and follow-up surveys and two 1.5-hour individualized in-person sessions.
      Participants randomized to the control group will be asked to complete baseline and follow-up
      surveys and two 1.5-hour individualized in-person client-centered discussion sessions. The
      main outcome measures will be participation, reasons for withdrawal, participants experiences
      within the intervention setting and their experiences in applying the intervention, PPC,
      coping efficacy, and coping effectiveness.
    

Detailed description: 
      In recent years, there have been a growing number of individuals diagnosed with Autism
      Spectrum Disorders (ASD). As such, this increase has expanded the number of caregivers of
      children with ASD. Research has shown that having a child with an ASD is stressful for
      caregivers and their families. More specifically, prior research suggests that caregivers of
      children with ASD may find it difficult to maintain feelings of control and to cope with the
      overall physical and emotional demands of caring for their child. A previous study of
      caregivers of children with ASD found that caregivers felt a lack of personal control over
      aspects of their child s condition and also found it difficult to cope with various demands
      of caregiving. Furthermore, this study found that greater levels of perceived personal
      control and the use of problem-focused coping strategies were associated with caregivers
      adaptation to their child s condition. As such, the goal of our research is to conduct a
      feasibility study using a coping effectiveness training (CET) intervention designed to
      enhance perceived personal control (PPC) and coping efficacy in caregivers of children with
      ASD. There has been a growing interest in developing interventions targeted at constructs
      involved in the adaptation process. However, there have been few studies of interventions
      targeting predictors of adaptation such as PPC and coping efficacy. Research has shown that
      the CET intervention can enhance coping efficacy in several other populations. This
      intervention also incorporates appraisals of one s ability to change a particular situation.
      The conceptual framework for our study was adapted from Lazarus and Folkman s Transactional
      Model of Stress and Coping. A cross-sectional randomized treatment-control design is proposed
      to evaluate the use of a CET intervention intended to enhance PPC and coping efficacy.
      Caregivers of children with ASD will be recruited from support groups, autism resource
      centers, and four clinics. Participants randomized to the treatment group will be asked to
      complete baseline and follow-up surveys and two 1.5-hour individualized in-person sessions.
      Participants randomized to the control group will be asked to complete baseline and follow-up
      surveys and two 1.5-hour individualized in-person client-centered discussion sessions. The
      main outcome measures will be participation, reasons for withdrawal, participants experiences
      within the intervention setting and their experiences in applying the intervention, PPC,
      coping efficacy, and coping effectiveness.
    

Intervention name(s): Coping Effectiveness Training
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Primary purpose: Other
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorders