None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a brief 2-hour Compassionate Mind Training intervention on self-compassion levels of parents of autistic children from 3 to 17 years of age. The intervention incorporates physical and mental skills that cultivate compassion, such as grounding, rhythmic breathing, mindfulness, and developing more compassionate ways of relating to the self and others. It is predicted that parents in the treatment group will report higher levels of self-compassion, better mental well-being and emotion regulation, and fewer negative emotions.
Interventions
The Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) program is comprised of one brief 2-hour seminar, consisting of psychoeducation and various compassion-based practices: (1) a soothing rhythm breathing practice ; (2) a practice focused on creating friendly facial expressions and voice tones as part of compassion; (3) a practice aimed to develop mindfulness and increase attention to one's current mental state; (4) a practice aimed to develop the sense of a compassionate self that is based upon feelings of wi
The Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) program is comprised of one brief 2-hour seminar, consisting of psychoeducation and various compassion-based practices: (1) a soothing rhythm breathing practice ; (2) a practice focused on creating friendly facial expressions and voice tones as part of compassion; (3) a practice aimed to develop mindfulness and increase attention to one's current mental state; (4) a practice aimed to develop the sense of a compassionate self that is based upon feelings of wisdom, strength and commitment to be supportive and helpful to self and others; (5) an imagery practice aimed to develop a compassionate image of another mind that has caring intent towards the self; and (6) a practice aimed to develop a compassionate self that has caring intent towards the self and how to use compassion focusing to work with self-criticism and life difficulties. A previous randomised controlled trial (RCT) on the CMT program in parents of children aged 3 to 9 found that this program significantly reduces levels of parental self-criticism and child emotional and peer problems (ACTRN12618000556246). The CMT group workshops will be delivered online by Dr James Kirby (Clinical Psychologist and UQ lecturer) and Dr Ru Ying Cai (Research Fellow). The approximate group size is 8 to 10 parents. The workshop will be interactive, with numerous opportunities for parents to engage in group discussions. After the group workshop, all participants will be provided with access to audio-recorded meditations to help facilitate independent practice of CMT (via links emailed to participants). No specific post-workshop instructions regarding independent practice of CMT will be provided. Participants can also volunteer to be interviewed (via Zoom, phone, or email) two weeks post-workshop attendance. Semi-structured interviews using a study-specific questionnaire will be used. A member of the research team will conduct the interviews, which is approximately 30 minutes. The interviews will be audio-recorded for transcription prior to data analyses.
Sponsors
Dr Chris Edwards
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria for participants will be that parents must: 1) Have at least one autistic child aged between 3 and 17 years 2) Score low to moderate on the Self-Compassion Scale 3) Have access to the required technology: stable internet connection, computer/laptop/tablet and audio outlet (the ability to watch an online workshop)
Exclusion criteria
1) An inability to attend a 2-hour workshop 2) Not willing to complete questionnaires or be randomised.
Outcome results
None listed