A Coping Effectiveness Training Intervention for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum: A Feasibility Study



Status:Completed
Conditions:Neurology, Psychiatric, Psychiatric, Autism
Therapuetic Areas:Neurology, Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 100
Updated:3/31/2019
Start Date:July 5, 2010
End Date:May 6, 2011

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A Coping Effectiveness Training Intervention for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Feasibility Study

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.

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.

- INCLUSION CRITERIA:

- Must be a primary caregiver (biological or adoptive parent or grandparent) of a child
with an ASD [note: no restrictions with regard to age of the child or how recently
s/he was diagnosed

- Must be at least 18 years of age

- Caregivers must reside with the child

- Only one caregiver per household and this person should be the caregiver that spends
the most time with the child.

- Must be able to read, write, and speak English

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

- Those who have a child with any specific genetic diagnosis associated with ASD [including
Rett, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Fragile X Syndrome, Neurofibromatosis, Prader-Willi
Syndrome, and Angelman Syndrome will not be eligible to participate in this study.
We found this trial at
1
site
707 North Broadway
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
443-923-9200
Kennedy Krieger Institute While not officially part of Johns Hopkins Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute is...
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from
Baltimore, MD
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