The Role of Parental Involvement in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Children's Group Interventions

Current research in the field of autism has progressively moved beyond a narrow focus on child-centered interventions to embrace a more comprehensive, family-systemic approach. There is growing recognition that the well-being of parents and caregivers significantly influences intervention outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While many parents diligently engage in interventions designed for their autistic children, they often overlook their own psychological needs and the potential impact of their own well-being on the therapeutic process. Undoubtedly, parents play a crucial role in the intervention trajectory of children with autism; however, there remains a scarcity of empirical studies investigating how changes in parental factors may affect child intervention efficacy. This study aims to address this gap by examining the effects of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group intervention on parental psychological flexibility and parenting stress among parents of children with ASD, as well as its secondary impact on the progress of children participating in group interventions.