The effect of the psycho-education program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on the psychological adaptation of mothers and fathers of children (aged 3-6 years) with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of the psychoeducation program based on acceptance and commitment therapy, which was developed within the scope of the study and consisted of nine sessions, on the psychological adaptation (psychological flexibility, resilience, and marital satisfaction) of parents of children (aged 3-6 years) with autism spectrum disorder [ASD]. Accordingly, pre-experimental-qualitative, experimental and post-experimental-qualitative stages were included in the study in compliance with the nested design in the mixed model. At the pre-experimental-qualitative stage, data were collected via individual interviews with a total of 11 people (7 mothers and 4 fathers) and interviews of three focus groups (22 mothers and 21 fathers). The experimental process was carried out in the 3x3 experimental design with the pretest, posttest, and observation assessment including experimental, interaction/placebo and control groups separately for each mother and father. The study data were collected via the Acceptance and Action Form-2, Connor- Davison Resilience Scale, Marital Life Scale, Personal Information Questionnaire and Researcher Logs. At the post-experimental-qualitative stage, data were obtained by means of individual interviews with mothers and fathers in the experimental and interaction groups. Research findings revealed that the experimental process had a similar effect on each of the psychological flexibility, resilience and marital satisfaction dimensions in the experimental and interaction/placebo groups of both mothers and fathers, but this effect increased in the experimental group and decreased in the interaction/placebo group during the observation period. These findings indicate that the psychoeducation program based on acceptance and commitment therapy has a significant effect on enhancing the psychological adaptation of both mothers and fathers of children with ASD.