autism

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on resilience, happiness, and ambiguity tolerance in mothers of children with autism. The present research is applied in nature and employs a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, follow-up, and a control group. The statistical population of this study consists of all mothers of children with autism in the city of Rasht who visited the Gilan Autism Support Charity in 2023. A sample of 30 participants was purposefully selected. The intervention consisted of eight 90-minute sessions of MBCT training conducted in groups, twice a week, based on the method of Kabat-Zinn (2003). To collect data, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003), the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (1989), and the McLain Ambiguity Tolerance Scale (2009) were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results indicated that the MBCT intervention led to an increase in resilience and happiness scores in mothers of children with autism, but no improvement was observed in ambiguity tolerance scores. Given that resilience skills can be learned and that psychological interventions, including MBCT, can improve resilience by reducing negative emotions and fostering positive emotions, MBCT, through combining vitality and clear perception of experiences, can create positive changes in happiness.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of music therapy on processing speed in children with mathematical disorder.

Methods and Materials: 

A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving 30 children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with various cognitive impairments. Participants were randomly assigned to either the music therapy group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The music therapy intervention consisted of 12 weekly sessions, each lasting 45 minutes, focusing on active music-making and improvisation. The control group received no intervention. Processing speed was assessed using standardized cognitive tasks, including the Stroop Test and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), administered before and after the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using paired t-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results indicated that children in the music therapy group showed significant improvements in processing speed compared to the control group, as measured by the DSST and Stroop Test. The music therapy group demonstrated faster reaction times and improved accuracy in cognitive tasks, with a medium to large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.65). No significant changes were observed in the control group. Additionally, improvements in social skills and emotional regulation were reported by caregivers and teachers, suggesting that music therapy had broader benefits beyond cognitive performance.

The findings suggest that music therapy can significantly enhance processing speed in children with mathematical disorder. These results support the potential of music therapy as an effective intervention for improving cognitive functions and overall emotional well-being in this population.

The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of ambivalence over emotional expression in explaining the effect of cognitive emotion regulation strategies on the psychological well-being of mothers of children with autism.

This study employed a descriptive correlational design, and structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. The statistical population included all mothers of children with autism in special education schools and rehabilitation centers in Tehran during the 2021–2022 academic year. A total of 300 mothers were selected through convenience sampling and responded to the Ambivalence Over Emotional Expression Questionnaire (AEEQ; King & Emmons, 1990), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ; Garnefski & Kraaij, 2006), and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB; Ryff, 1989). The collected data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis with AMOS 24 software.

Structural equation modeling results indicated that all goodness-of-fit indices supported an acceptable fit of the structural model with the collected data. Maladaptive emotion regulation strategies negatively and significantly predicted psychological well-being, while adaptive emotion regulation strategies positively and significantly predicted psychological well-being in mothers of children with autism. Ambivalence over emotional expression negatively and significantly predicted psychological well-being in these mothers (p = .001). Moreover, among mothers of children with autism, ambivalence over emotional expression significantly mediated the relationship between emotion regulation strategies and psychological well-being (p = .001).

The findings of this study can be useful for counselors, psychologists, and professionals working in the field of autism.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the static and dynamic balance of children with autism.

Methods and Materials:

This quasi-experimental study used a purposive and convenience sampling method to select 30 male children with autism from the city of Ardabil, aged between 5 and 12 years. After selection, the participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (tDCS) or the control group. Dynamic balance (during walking and based on center of pressure fluctuations) and static balance (based on center of pressure fluctuations) were assessed using the Bertec force plate, with the center of pressure displacements measured in the mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) directions. The data were filtered using a 20 Hz low-pass Butterworth filter. The tDCS intervention was applied with an intensity of 2 milliamps to the left primary motor cortex for 5 weeks, with 15 sessions of 20 minutes each, using a two-channel TDCS device, Medinataab, made in Iran.

The results of a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant differences in both static and dynamic balance between the experimental and control groups in terms of the center of pressure path direction along the anteroposterior and mediolateral axes. The experimental group, with a lower mean oscillation of the center of pressure path, demonstrated better balance.

Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has the potential to significantly improve both static and dynamic balance in children with autism.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Reality Therapy in reducing anxiety in mothers of children with autism in Shahriar County.

Methods and Materials:

The research design was a quasi-experimental type with a pre-test and post-test control group. The statistical population included 30 mothers of children with autism whose children were enrolled in one of the exceptional schools in Shahriar County during the 2023-2024 academic year. The sample consisted of 30 mothers selected using convenience sampling and divided into two experimental groups (15 each) and a control group (15). The Beck Anxiety Inventory (1988) was used as the measurement tool. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis.

The results indicated that both Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Reality Therapy were effective in reducing anxiety in mothers of children with autism. However, Reality Therapy had a greater impact on reducing anxiety compared to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (P < 0.01).

Both Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Reality Therapy can effectively reduce anxiety in mothers of children with autism, with Reality Therapy showing a greater impact.

 The present study aimed to determine the relationship between mental health and mental toughness with the meaning in life in families of children with autism.

 The statistical population included all families with children with autism registered in the Autism Society of Tehran in 2022 (totaling 2,040 individuals). From this population, 322 participants were selected using convenience sampling based on Morgan's table. Participants were assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) by Goldberg (1999), the Mental Toughness Questionnaire by Clough, Earle, and Sewell (2002), and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire by Steger, Frazier, Oishi, and Kaler (2006). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression tests via SPSS version 23.

 The findings revealed a significant relationship between meaning in life and both mental health and mental toughness in families of children with autism. The dimensions of mental health significantly predicted the presence of meaning and the search for meaning in life. Furthermore, the dimensions of mental toughness were also significant predictors of the presence of meaning and the search for meaning (P < 0.001).

 Based on the results, the role of mental health and mental toughness is crucial in fostering a positive experience of meaning in life for families of children with autism.

 The current research was conducted with the aim of studying and investigating the role of tests and tools in the accurate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders.

 A total of 83 children (56 boys and 27 girls) diagnosed with autism or one of the comorbid diagnoses were selected and underwent the GARS-3 scale and the Psycho-Educational Profile Revised (PEP-3) diagnostic test. Additionally, parents were asked to complete a checklist provided by the researcher. The age range of the individuals with autism was between 2 and 7 years, with an average age of 6.5 years.

 The results of the statistical analyses of the data from this study indicated a significant role of diagnosis tools.

 So, the proper and timely use of diagnostic tests plays a significant role in the accurate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and also in determining the severity of these disorders.

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral couple therapy program on the marital satisfaction of parents and the internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems of students with ASD.

Methods and Materials:

 This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all parents of 10- to 15-year-old male students with autism in Mashhad in 2023. The sampling method was convenience sampling, including 58 eligible parents of children with internalizing behavioral problems. These parents were selected from the Tebassom public center and the Mehr Amin private clinic and were divided into two groups: experimental and control. Data were collected using the Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire, Child Behavior Checklist, and GARS-2 Autism Rating Scale and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and SPSS.22 software.

The results indicated that the implementation of the cognitive-behavioral couple therapy program significantly impacted mothers' marital satisfaction (F=38.98, P<0.001), fathers' marital satisfaction (F=65.25, P<0.001), externalizing behavioral problems (F=61.80, P<0.001), and internalizing behavioral problems (F=29.48, P<0.001) of children with autism.

It can be concluded that the cognitive-behavioral couple therapy program effectively improves the marital satisfaction of parents and the internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems of children with ASD. This approach can be utilized to reduce the psychological issues of children with ASD.

Autism spectrum disorders, being neurodevelopmental, present with serious difficulties in social interactions, verbal and non-verbal communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. This research aimed to investigate the efficacy of couples therapy with a cognitive-behavioral approach on the marital satisfaction of parents and the externalized behavioral problems of students with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods and Materials: 

The current research design was quasi-experimental, utilizing a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with a control group. The population for this study consisted of all parents of male students aged 10 to 15 with autism in Mashhad in the year 2023. Sampling was conducted through a convenience method, including 58 qualified parents of children with internalized behavioral problems, selected from the parents at the Tabbasum public center and the Mehr Amin private clinic, and were divided into experimental and control groups. Data were collected using the Spouses' Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-2, and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS software version 22.

The results indicated that implementing couples therapy with a cognitive-behavioral approach significantly affected mothers' marital satisfaction (F=38.98, P<0.001), fathers' marital satisfaction (F=65.25, P<0.001), and the externalized behavioral problems (F=61.80, P<0.001) of children with autism spectrum disorder.

It can be concluded that couples therapy with a cognitive-behavioral approach is effective in enhancing the marital satisfaction of parents and addressing the externalized behavioral problems of children with autism spectrum disorder. This approach can be utilized to reduce the psychological issues of children with autism spectrum disorder.

This study aimed to predict the emotional social adjustment of children with autism based on mother-child anxiety and the adaptability of maternal parenting.

Methods and Materials: 

The research was descriptive and correlational. The population consisted of all mothers with autistic children in the city ofKut. The sample consisted of 200 mothers with autistic children, selected through convenient sampling. The research instruments included the Mother and Child Anxiety Scale (Ataabadi et al., 2021), the Social Emotional Skills Questionnaire for Children (Paytonet al., 2008), and the Parenting Adaptability Scale (Yousefi, 2021). Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression) were used for data analysis.

The results showed that among the predictor variables, mother-child anxiety and its dimensions, and parenting adaptability and its dimensions, were significantly correlated with emotional social adjustment. Among these variables and their dimensions, parental control, parenting concerns, and parent-child anxiety had predictive power for the emotional social adjustment of children.

Based on these results, it can be said that improving parenting variables is beneficial for the improvement of children's emotional social adjustment.

 This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mentalization-based training and positive thinking for parents of children with autism on their reflective functioning and their children's aggression.

 This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group and a three-month follow-up. The statistical population included all parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) enrolled in day centers for education and rehabilitation of individuals with ASD in Tehran during the 2022-2023 academic year, and their children. A total of 32 parent-child pairs were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (16 parents) or the control group (16 parents). Data collection tools for parents included the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (Fonagy, 2016), and for children, the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist Aggression Scale (2001) Parent Form. Initially, a pretest was administered to both groups, and the Aggression Scale was completed by the parents for their children. The mentalization-based and positive thinking training package (Fonagy) was then conducted in 12 sessions of 120 minutes each for the experimental group. Subsequently, a posttest was administered to both groups, and the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire and Positive Beliefs Questionnaire were completed by the mothers, while the Aggression Scale was again completed by the parents for their children. A follow-up phase occurred three months later. Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance.

 The results indicated that the impact of mentalization-based and positive thinking training on the components of reflective functioning (F = 14.35) and aggression (F = 7.17) in children was significant (P < 0.01), and this effect persisted through the follow-up phase.

 Given the results, it appears that mentalization-based and positive thinking training, by enhancing reflection on mental states, emotional regulation, and the ability to enjoy pleasant events, provides a suitable context for reflective functioning. This, in turn, leads to a reduction in aggression in children with autism.

 The objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of systemic family therapy in reducing alexithymia, increasing psychological capital, and enhancing mental vitality in mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children.

 The research method was a quasi-experimental design utilizing a pretest-posttest and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population included mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children in the city of Mashhad, referring to the Avaye Salamat Center (total number: 70 individuals). Data were collected using a cluster random sampling method, ultimately selecting 30 individuals and assigning them into two groups of 15 each, experimental and control. For data collection and assessment of desired features and conditions, demographic forms and marital intimacy, forgiveness, and marital burnout questionnaires were used. Participants in the experimental group underwent systemic family therapy according to Bowen's (2009) protocol in 8 sessions of 90 minutes each, twice a week. Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance and SPSS-16 statistical software.

 The results indicated that systemic family therapy significantly reduced alexithymia (F=6.25, P=0.004), increased psychological capital (F=9.65, P=0.001), and enhanced mental vitality (F=7.29, P=0.001) in mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children (P<0.05).

 Systemic family therapy can be utilized to improve alexithymia, psychological capital, and mental vitality in mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of music therapy on processing speed in children with mathematical disorder.

Methods and Materials: 

A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving 30 children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with various cognitive impairments. Participants were randomly assigned to either the music therapy group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The music therapy intervention consisted of 12 weekly sessions, each lasting 45 minutes, focusing on active music-making and improvisation. The control group received no intervention. Processing speed was assessed using standardized cognitive tasks, including the Stroop Test and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), administered before and after the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using paired t-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results indicated that children in the music therapy group showed significant improvements in processing speed compared to the control group, as measured by the DSST and Stroop Test. The music therapy group demonstrated faster reaction times and improved accuracy in cognitive tasks, with a medium to large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.65). No significant changes were observed in the control group. Additionally, improvements in social skills and emotional regulation were reported by caregivers and teachers, suggesting that music therapy had broader benefits beyond cognitive performance.

The findings suggest that music therapy can significantly enhance processing speed in children with mathematical disorder. These results support the potential of music therapy as an effective intervention for improving cognitive functions and overall emotional well-being in this population.

The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of ambivalence over emotional expression in explaining the effect of cognitive emotion regulation strategies on the psychological well-being of mothers of children with autism.

This study employed a descriptive correlational design, and structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. The statistical population included all mothers of children with autism in special education schools and rehabilitation centers in Tehran during the 2021–2022 academic year. A total of 300 mothers were selected through convenience sampling and responded to the Ambivalence Over Emotional Expression Questionnaire (AEEQ; King & Emmons, 1990), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ; Garnefski & Kraaij, 2006), and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB; Ryff, 1989). The collected data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis with AMOS 24 software.

Structural equation modeling results indicated that all goodness-of-fit indices supported an acceptable fit of the structural model with the collected data. Maladaptive emotion regulation strategies negatively and significantly predicted psychological well-being, while adaptive emotion regulation strategies positively and significantly predicted psychological well-being in mothers of children with autism. Ambivalence over emotional expression negatively and significantly predicted psychological well-being in these mothers (p = .001). Moreover, among mothers of children with autism, ambivalence over emotional expression significantly mediated the relationship between emotion regulation strategies and psychological well-being (p = .001).

The findings of this study can be useful for counselors, psychologists, and professionals working in the field of autism.