420 - Proof-of-Concept and Acceptability: Integration of Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Parent Stress into a Behavioral Parent Training Program

Poster Number: 420
Publication Number: 420.207

Dana M. Bakula, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, United States; Emily Cramer, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, United States; Cy Nadler, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States; Meredith Dreyer Gillette, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, United States

Background: Parents of children with autism or developmental disabilities (ASDD) experience higher rates of stress than parents of typically developing children, with negative implications for both parents and their children. Behavioral challenges common to children with DD are a major source of parent stress, and that stress can be a barrier for implementing behavior management strategies. 

Objective: In this preliminary study, we sought to test proof-of-concept that integrating a parent stress intervention into a behavioral parent training program would reduce parent stress and be acceptable to parents.

Design/Methods:

Research Units in Behavioral Intervention (RUBI) is an evidence-based behavioral parent training program tailored for children with ASDD. Local implementation of RUBI in both group and individual telehealth formats was designed to meet a community-level need for behavioral health services among primarily underserved populations (e.g., patients with Medicaid).  We recruited parents (N=21) of children enrolled in RUBI to participate in two 90-minute Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) group sessions focused on parent stress. Parents completed the Perceived Stress Scale, PHQ-2, and an acceptability questionnaire.

Results:

Participating parents were less than half White (44%), 32% Black, and 16% Hispanic; 68% had Medicaid; and 64% of their children had autism. Most parents reported reduced stress (71%; M_change=5.64) and many reported reduced depressive symptoms (39%; M_change=.54). Most indicated they would recommend FACT to other parents (82%), found FACT “very helpful” (60%), and were more confident in managing their stress (73%). Qualitatively, parents expressed appreciation for the focus on their needs as caregivers.

Conclusion(s):

FACT is acceptable to parents and has the potential to meet the needs of underserved parents and caregivers of children with ASDD. FACT’s brevity and scalability make it ideally suited to overcome systemic barriers to implementation. Efficacy testing is needed before broader dissemination, including assessment of potential additive benefits on child outcomes.